Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE target for the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe is to have two relay teams at the next edition of the Olympics.
NAAZ are currently bracing for the World Relays scheduled for May 2 and 3 in Gaborone, Botswana.
The men’s 4x400m team made the cut for the meet being staged in Africa for the first time.
This is going to be Team Zimbabwe’s second consecutive appearance at the relays, having qualified for China last year where they placed 28th on the Top List.
Back then, 32 teams were entered for each of the events on the programme.
However, in Botswana 24 teams will compete with Zimbabwe ranked 13th.
There are six events on the programme, Women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, Men’s 4x100m, 4x400m as well as the mixed 4x100m and mixed 4x400m relays.
Speaking at the team’s send-off this week NAAZ president Tendayi Tagara declared they want to have two teams at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“Two relay (teams) must be in Los Angeles. The relays must qualify now. The road to Los Angeles is now, not tomorrow,” said Tagara.
The 4x400m team broke a 29-year national record on their way to qualification when running 3 minutes 00.69 seconds, which saw them taking a huge leap from being ranked 24 to 13 on the Top List.
Tagara is positive the team can surpass that feat, and is hoping the quartet of Gerren Muwishi, Dennis Hove, Leeford Zuze and Thandazani Ndhlovu reach the finals in Botswana.
The top 12 teams from each of the events at the World Relays, automatically qualify for the 2027 World Championships to be held in Beijing, China.
Tagara said the home-grown solution is now paying dividends as he challenged the team to aim for World Championships qualification.
Qualification to next year’s World Championships puts them in a good position to push for the Olympics.
“Definitely you have to run and qualify for the World Championships next year in Beijing.
“That is our next challenge.”
The NAAZ president believes they also stand a good chance for the Olympics with the men’s 4x100m, and a mixed relay team.
Zimbabwe Olympic Committee chief executive Marlene Gadzirayi pledged their support for the team as part the broader vision for the Olympics.
“Obviously as the Olympic committee our focus is on the qualification to the Olympic Games and I am glad that president Tagara said that you are looking forward to qualifying for the Olympic Games and obviously we do not start in 2027.”
Peter Tanyanyiwa