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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe have named their provisional team for the African Games scheduled for next year in Ghana.
The enlarged squad is made up of more than 40 male and female athletes.
The 2023 African Games which were set for August 4 to 19, have been postponed to March 8 to 23, 2024.
And NAAZ have begun working towards the selection of athletes who will compete in Ghana.
NAAZ president Tendayi Tagara said they would want their athletes to start adjusting their training programmes in time and focus on the Games.
“The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe have selected a provisional team for the African Games earmarked for Ghana, in March.
“The idea is for the athletes to plan and readjust their training programmes to link with the Games. The timing of the Games means they have to cut short their off season. As an association we also have to adjust our 2024 calendar,” said Tagara.
The national association has set its own qualifying standards to push athletes to aim higher as part of efforts to ensure improved results at the African Games and qualification for Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“We have also set qualifying standards which are close to Olympics standards so that our focus is in sync with the Olympics and Africa Championships.
“The list include home based and foreign based athletes.
“For the foreign based we are also trying to link with their colleges for their release when they qualify. So far seven athletes have met the qualifying standards. But we want to hit the qualifying standards twice to make sure we pick people in best form,” said Tagara.
The seven athletes that have so far made the grade in their respective events are Tapiwanashe Makarawu, Takudzwa Chiyangwa, Simbarashe Maketa, Norman Mukwada, Bradley Makuvire, Wellington Varevi and Kudakwashe Chadenga.
Seasoned athletes such as Moses Tarakinyu, Fortunate Chidzivo, Rutendo Nyahora and Olivia Chitate are part of the provisional team that also includes upcoming athletes such as discus thrower Kimberly Kachambwa.
Kachambwa was part of the team that represented the country at the Confederation of African Athletics Under-18 and Under-20 Championships held between April and May, in Ndola, Zambia.
She got a silver medal in the Under-18 (youth) women discus.
Provisional Team
Men
100m
Tapiwanashe Makarawu, Makanaka Charamba, Ngoni Makusha, Clinton Maunga, Dickson Kamungeremu, Denzel Simusialela.
200m
Tapiwanashe Makarawu, Takudzwa Chiyangwa, Leon Tafirenyika, Ngoni Makusha.
400m
Simbarashe Maketa, Gerren Muwishi, Takudzwa Chiyangwa, Leon Tafirenyika, Artwell Simon.
400m hurdles
Norman Mukwada, Busani Ndlovu
110m hurdles
Anesu Makuwatsine
800m
Kelvin Chiku
5 000m
Bradley Makuvire
10 000m
Wellington Varevi, Bradley Makuvire
Half Marathon
Wellington Varevi, Tendai Zimuto, Isaac Mpofu, Moses Tarakinyu
Triple Jump
Chengetayi Mapaya, Takunda Mhete
High Jump
Kudakwashe Chadenga, Tatenda Ngudu
Javelin
James Mtenje
Women
100m
Samkeliso Ndebele, Ruvarashe Nyakupinda, Michelle Zuze
200m
Samkeliso Ndebele, Ruvarashe Nyakupinda, Privilege Bower
400m
Vimbayi Maisvorewa, Thelma Manjinjwa, Nontokozo Ncube
400m hurdles
Ashley Miller
800m
Privilege Chikara, Nontokozo Ncube
5 000m
Faith Nyathi
10 000m
Rudo Mhonderwa, Fortunate Chidzivo, Rutendo Nyahora
Half Marathon
Rutendo Nyahora, Olivia Chitate, Patience Murowe, Fortunate Chidzivo
Triple Jump
Dorothy Kavhumbura, Prissy Mpofu
Discus
Wayne Nkomo, Kimberly Kachambwa, Naomi Musindo
Online Reporter