Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE FUTURE of Zimbabwean athletics exploded into life at White City Stadium on Saturday, as the country’s brightest young talents lit up the National Junior Championships with performances that blended raw promise and fierce national pride.
Competition director Manuel Mpofu, described the well-attended event as a celebration of the sport’s potential and the energy of a new generation.
“In a stirring celebration of Zimbabwe’s athletic promise, the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) successfully hosted the Junior Championships at White City Stadium in Bulawayo, drawing over 800 athletes and passionate supporters from across the country’s 10 provinces. The event served as the official qualifier for the AUSC Region Five Youth Games, scheduled for July 2025 in Namibia,” said National Junior Championships.
Themed “Igniting the Flame of Youth Excellence,” the championships marked a welcome departure from past editions that often struggled with low attendance. The 2025 edition was a vibrant showcase — testament to Naaz president Tendai Tagara’s commitment to taking the sport to new heights, helped by a strategic marketing partnership with 5Brands Consulting Group, a leading public relations and branding firm.
“We witnessed breathtaking talent, from blistering sprints to field event triumphs, as athletes from all 10 provinces battled for national honours and international qualification,” Mpofu added.
Veteran athletics administrator Cynthia Phiri, who also serves as Naaz secretary-general, was equally effusive in her praise for the young competitors.
“This event was more than a selection meet. It was a showcase of national talent, resilience and commitment. Zimbabwe’s next Olympic stars are already among us,” she said.
Mpofu echoed Phiri’s sentiments, emphasising the strategic importance of the data gathered from the meet.
“What we saw on the track and field was phenomenal. These performances form the backbone of our national strategy. The results give us strong data to build a competitive team for Namibia.”
There were several stand-out performances that had Naaz officials dreaming of a bright future.
Tawananyasha Chimunya (Cheetahs) turned heads with a blistering 10.63 seconds in the boys’ 100m and followed it up with 21.28 seconds in the 200m. Shalom Sendi (NSA) was dominant in the girls’ sprints, clocking 12.58 seconds in the 100m and 25.74 seconds in the 200m — a strong sign that Zimbabwe’s sprinting legacy is alive and well, following in the footsteps of Olympians Makanakaishe Charamba and Tapiwanashe Makarawu.
Charamba and Makarawu share the best indoor 200m time of 20.13 seconds in 2025, placing them seventh globally. In the distance events, Thelma Murando of Mtunzi Secondary School clocked 10:17.70 in the girls’ 3000m, while Jackson Nyamazana (Mwenezi) posted 8:48.38 in the boys’ 3000m.
The relays were equally thrilling. NSA Girls clocked 51.13 seconds in the 4x100m, while Elite Sprints and Cheetahs boys teams recorded competitive times of 42.63 and 42.70 seconds respectively.
Naaz second vice president Siphathisiwe Machaya, praised the growing presence and performance of female athletes at the championships.
“We are inspired by the outstanding turnout of girls this year. Their strength and record-setting performances prove the value of investing in inclusive grassroots development,” Machaya said.
Especially encouraging was the strong showing by girls under the age of 13, pointing to a promising pipeline of future champions.
Looking ahead, Naaz will launch a national training camp in May, supported by elite coaches, recovery specialists and sports scientists to ensure quality preparation for the AUSC Region Five Youth Games.
“We now begin a targeted preparation campaign,” Mpofu said.
