Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Inter-provincial Championships get off the blocks this afternoon at the University of Zimbabwe with the country’s top athletes expected to showcase their talents over the weekend.
The combined junior and senior meet is running until tomorrow with athletes out to secure not just national titles but spots in teams for different tours.
Hosts Harare have declared themselves ready to welcome athletes from across the country.
Harare Athletic Board vice-chairperson Aaron Whyte said with the junior category featuring top-eight athletes for each event, mainly from the NAAZ Southern and Northern region selection events as well as those from the NASH National Championships, they are expecting fireworks.
The NAAZ selection events were held last month in Harare and Bulawayo.
“For the juniors, to be honest, we are expecting some fireworks there because I know all our top runners will be there from across the country.
“Those guys who dominated at NASH, the guys who dominated in Bulawayo NAAZ selection, the guys who dominated in Harare NAAZ selection, they will all be there.
“We have got the likes of Hailey Chingono, who are out of the school system, but they are still competing. And then we have got Panashe Mutenure in the long jump, and Takunda Mutizwa, triple jump.
“Leeroy Chishaya, triple jump. Then we have got Nenyasha Chihora 400m. All those guys will be there,” said Whyte.
Gift Khumalo is expected to line up for 800m while NASH National Championships Under-20 men 100m champion Trey Chimunya is also set to take part in the meet.
The likes of Chimunya and Mutizwa have represented the country at regional and continental youth and junior championships.
“It’s going to be a good field,” added Whyte.
For the seniors, some of the leading athletes expected include Ngoni Makusha in the sprints, Busani Ndlovu for the 400m and 110m hurdles.
The seniors are directly from provinces, and Harare are the defending champions.
“We are fielding athletes in all the events. And we are ready to defend our title.
“So, we have got Kelvin Bvekerwa in 800 metres. He’s also part of the 4x400m relay team that’s going to Botswana for the World Relay Championships.
“We have got Takudzwa Manhanga. He is running 100m, 200m and he is also doing high jump. And then we have got Elvis Mukuchura, we have got Arthur Chitara. On the ladies, we have got Gladys Mukome, Brenda Njodzi. Those are some of our top athletes,” Whyte said.
Harare coaches’ coordinator Mavhuto Tumba, however, said they will be missing some of the top athletes who are competing at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix tomorrow in Gaborone.
“We are ready though we are having some of the top (senior) athletes who are not competing from all over the provinces because of the competition, which is going on in Botswana, the Grand Prix.
“I would not say it has disadvantaged us but some of the top athletes they will be competing there to better their times and to get times which are certified, which are going to be recognised.
“But as Harare province we are ready to host and we are prepared,” Tumba said.
National competitions director Manuel Mpofu said there has been overwhelming response in the juniors’ category.
“Now we have also included the private schools, they had their competition in Bulawayo, that’s why the number has risen now. So, juniors are not scoring for any province,” said Mpofu.
The immediate assignments include the Africa Senior Championships due to take place from May 12 to 17 in Accra, Ghana.
And NAAZ are scheduled to announce the travelling team after the national event.
Soon after the seniors meet, attention will shift to the Southern Region Under-18 and Under-20 Championships in Mauritius, in June.
