Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
THE Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) is set to play host to a major track and field event at White City Stadium this coming Saturday as the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) Open Championships will serve as a crucial qualifier for two important regional competitions.
Not only will the event determine who qualifies for the AUSC Region 5 Games in Namibia this July, but it will also serve as a qualifier for the Southern Region Senior Championships set to be held in Harare also in July.
With athletes vying for spots in these prestigious events, the competition promises to bring out the best in Zimbabwe’s athletics.
Watson Madanyika, the chairperson of Bab, said he is looking forward to a great field and competition standards.
“We are expecting a large number of athletes to register for this competition, given that it serves as a qualifier for two major regional events. It will be a critical opportunity for our athletes to showcase their talents and compete for spots in the national team,” said Madanyika.
The championships will feature a variety of track and field events, including sprints, middle-distance races, jumps and throws.
Events such as the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1 500m, 3 000m, 5 000m, long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus, javelin, hammer throw, and mixed relays will be contested. Athletes from different age groups cadets (Under-14), youths (Under-18), juniors (Under-20), and seniors (over 20) will compete at the meet.
Madanyika also spoke on the significance of the event, noting that it would play a vital role in identifying talent for future Zimbabwe teams.
“This competition is essential for the development of athletics in the region, and we are excited to see how our athletes perform,” said Madanyika.
Meanwhile, registration for the returning Baldmin Bulawayo Marathon is in progress.
The Bulawayo Marathon which is the first 42,2km event in 33 years, takes place in Bulawayo on April 19.
Bulawayo has not run a standard marathon since the Merlin Marathon in the early 1990s.
The marathon will include 21,1km, 10km and 5km race categories, aiming to inspire healthy living and community engagement.
Entries for the marathon opened on January 15, 2025, and will close on April 15, 2025. The registration fee is pegged at US$15.
-@innocentskizoe
