More athletics courses

THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) ,has lined up two coaching clinics at the end of the month, as they continue with their drive to capacitate local coaches.

The courses to be conducted at White City Stadium are the Naaz Level One and Two courses.

Both courses will run from March 28-30.

The course fee is pegged at US$50 per participant excluding lunch.

Only national Level One Coaching Course certificate holders are eligible for the Level Two coaching course.

Bab chairperson, Watson Madanyika said they are looking forward to the clinics, which come at a time when the athletics calendar is packed with events.

“We are continuing with our coach development programmes. These courses are meant to improve local coaching standards. The broader aim is to help standardise our athletics to be in line with the latest global trends. We want to train as many coaches so that our athletes get proper training. The invitation to take part is extended to school teachers and club coaches. They must elevate their qualifications. The training will improve our athletics as well,” said Madanyika.

Naaz has opened registration for the National Open Championships that will take place at White City Stadium on March 30.

Entry fees are pegged at US $2 per event per athlete for cadets, youths and juniors, US $3 per event per athlete for seniors and US $5 per relay team.

Registration will close on March 24.

Events on offer will be the 100m, 110m hurdle, 200m, 400m, 400m hurdle, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 4x100m relay, 4x mixed relay, ZITF CocaCola Four Minute Mile Challenge, long jump, triple jump, high jump, javelin, shot put and discus.

After the Open Championships, focus will turn to the Matopos PPC Marathon, which is slated for April 7.

Registration for the event is pegged at US$20 for the 53km event and US$10 for the other categories. Winners of the main event, which will be the 53km Ultra-Marathon in both the men’s and women’s categories will get US$2 000.

The rest of the prize breakdown will be availed in due course.

Prizes will be given in the rest of the categories to those who finish inside the top 10.

In the past, the event has attracted over 3 000 athletes participating in different categories.

The 53km ultra-marathon starts inside the Matopo National Park and concludes at Bulawayo Athletic Club (BAC).

Just after Woolandale Road is where the 21,1km gets underway and ends at BAC as well.

Tshabalala Sanctuary is the starting point for the 10km fun run ,with its conclusion being at BAC, which is also the starting as well as ending point for the 5km race.-@innocentskizoe