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Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
NKOSIYAZI Sibanda and former South Africa-based Thandiwe Nyathi are expected to carry Matabeleland South’s hopes at the National Cross-Country Championships in Kadoma on Sunday. Matabeleland South athletics chairman Lisimati Phakamile said they are pinning their hopes on the duo to do well.
“We hope that our senior athletes will make the province proud at the cross-country event by making it to the national team.
“Sibanda has been doing well at national competitions while Nyathi recently returned from South Africa to revive her career back home, we hope they will lead the youngsters in Kadoma,” said Phakamile.
Phakamile said they were as a province working on final touches ahead of the trip.
“Everything is in order, we are just doing final touches before we travel, we hope to contribute a number of athletes to the national squad,” he said.
Blanket Mine dominate the senior men’s team and have six athletes. Recent graduate from juniors, Wellington Varevi, is among the seniors.
Bekithemba Ncube from Buvuma Secondary School and Evidence Ndlovu from Gungwe Secondary School are in the team too.
NAAZ director for development and recruitment Phakamile bemoaned the shortage of female athletes participating in this event.
“This is like cancer which is affecting the country, we have to do something about it because it is not Matabeleland South which is affected, we have to educate people because most women are affected by cultural practices and marriage,” he said.
Juniors
Girls: Evidence Ndlovu (Gungwe Secondary School), Sibonokuhle Maseko (Steenbok), Charity Moyo (Stanmore Secondary School)
Boys: Bekithemba Ncube (Buvuma Secondary School), Tenson Tshabangu, Prince Dube (Steenbok), Nkosana Ncube, Mbekezeli Sibanda (Sibhula Secondary School), Mchasisi Siziba (Blanket Mine), Bhekimpilo Ndiweni (Stanmore Secondary School)
Seniors
Men: Nkosiyazi Sibanda, Tawanda Matunhu, Wellington Varevi, Nkosentsha Nkiwane, Tapiwa Moyo, Christopher Gonewe (Blanket Mine)
Women: Thandiwe Nyathi (LM Athletics Academy)
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