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Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) are hoping that they can build on positives from the recently held Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Championships.
Zimbabwe had an improved showing at the Games that were held in Douala, Cameroon, and came back home with two silver medals as compared to the 2022 edition when they only got a bronze.
The two medals came from Chengetayi Mapaya in the men’s triple jump and sprinter Tapiwanashe Makarawu in 200m.
In 2022, the men’s 4x100m relay team finished third to claim the bronze medal.
NAAZ director of coaches Lisimati Phakamile said although there were opportunities missed in their bid to have a few more athletes qualify for the Olympics, there are positives that the association can build on before the next event in Ghana in 2026.
“Other than qualifying for the Olympics, when we came to this competition, we had a lot of objectives and goals to meet,” said Phakamile.
“Our first goal was to have athletes getting onto the podium, but we also wanted athletes to improve on their personal best times and medals.
“We also wanted to pick up better quality medals than the previous competitions that we have had.
“We got a medal (bronze) in Mauritius after 10 years of attempting to get one and I am happy to say two years later, after our corrections and so on, we came here and got better-quality medals.
“That’s an improvement from the previous competition and the previous decade, where we did not get even one medal. In four years, we have got three medals and that is quite an improvement. I am happy with that.”
The team was a mixture of familiar faces that have been to the African Championships before, such as Ngoni Makusha, Dickson Kamungeremu, Gerren Muwishi, Ashley Kamangirira and Makarawu.
Dennis Hove, Elizabeth Msipa, Mapaya, Tafadzwa Chikomba and Takudzwa Chiyangwa competed at the meet for the first time.
Regarding Msipa, Hove, Chiyangwa and Chikomba, the African Championships were their first major competition.
Mapaya has been to the World Championships.
“Other than getting medals, the number of athletes that we sent to the finals is very impressive. The more we send to the finals, I am sure the more medals we will get, and the better the quality of medals we will get,” said Phakamile.
“I’m very impressed by the performances of these young and upcoming athletes. They have shown us that there is great hope and great opportunities to come for athletics.”
Chikomba finished sixth in long jump, while Chiyangwa was placed eighth in the 400m final. Hove reached the semi-final in 400m, while Kamangirira came fourth in the women’s 400m hurdles final.
“The future is quite bright for Zimbabwe. We are hoping that, with the calibre of upcoming athletes, very soon we will be talking of an improvement in the quality of medals, the number of athletes at the Olympics and World Championships,” said Phakamile.
“From this group, I have seen the zeal, enthusiasm and lots of talent. I have seen the special quality of talent and the dedication, and the passion that the athletes have shown in representing their country and performing in their events.”
Coach Mavhuto Tumba, who also travelled with the team, believes they are in the right direction, and with more exposure for athletes, they can surpass their current performances.
“I think we need to work more in terms of exposing our athletes to major competitions; that’s number one. Also, we need to prepare our team in time,” he said.
The next edition of the championships will be held in Ghana in 2026.
Online Reporter