adminMzingaye Sibanda, Sports Reporter
The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) is set to hold the Heroes of Athletics Memorial Track and Field Competition at the National Sports Stadium today. Athletes will battle for the right to represent the country in various competitions throughout the year such as the Region Five Games to be held in Bulawayo in December, the African Youth Olympic Games in Botswana at the end of this month, the Nainjing Youth Olympics scheduled for China in August, IAAF World Junior Championships in Eugene, US.
The event will also give long distance runners a chance to sharpen their skills ahead of the forthcoming marathons.
Harare Athletics Board secretary-general Silas Muringani said all was in place and the event will cater for all age groups ranging from cadets to juniors and seniors.
“We are ready for the event, though it was supposed to be on Sunday but since the stadium will be the venue for a PSL match, the SRC said we should stage ours tomorrow. All age groups will compete including the primary school students,” he said.
Athletes will compete in disciplines such as 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 4x100m, 4x400m relays, and 1,500 metres for women, hurdles 100, 110 and 400metres and all field events.
NAAZ director for development and recruitment Lisimati Phakamile said they will use the competition to fine-tune preparations for the team travelling for Southern African Junior Championships in Potchefstroom, South Africa, next week.
“We are not camping yet, but the team will use tomorrow’s event to prepare for the Southern African Junior Championships. Most of them are close to qualifying for the World Junior Championships so we are working hard, so that we have many athletes qualifying,” said Phakamile yesterday.
Bhekisisa Tshuma from Matabeleland South is one of the athletes expected to qualify in South Africa after recording 15.2m during the schools competition while the qualifying standard is 15.3m in triple jump.
Enlita Ncube from Msilahobe Secondary School in Silobela is one of the athletes that have so far qualified for the World Junior Track and Field Championships set for the the US in June.
She qualified at the Confederation of Schools Sport Association in Southern Africa (Cossasa) Games held in Botswana last week.
Southern African Junior Championships team:
Girls: Chetsanga Tapiwa, (shot putt), Chikanga Bertha (3,000m, 1,500m), Geza Buhle (100, 200m), Mahachi Tsitsi (100, 200m), Moyo Opha (200m), Mzinde Ruvarashe (100, 200m), Mutale Pesi (110 and 400m hurdles), Cathrine Makahaya (triple jump), Mazvita Mtisi (100m H), Mudyavanji Maryjoy (3,000m), Ncube Enlitha (800m, 1,500m), Majoni Vimbiso (long jump), Ndlovu Nomagugu (triple jump), Nkomo Wayne (javelin), Vanhuvaone Yvonne (400m), Dzinotyiwei Chido (100m)
Boys: Songore Michael (100, 200m), Musarurwa Tatenda (100, 200m), Mhiripiri Llyod (100m), Dlodlo Philimon (200m, 400m), Khumalo Andile (400m), Tembo Tatenda (400m), Chindowa Tatenda (400m), Mutsetse Nyasha (800m, 1,500m), Titus Nyathi (800m,1,500m), Masundire Ngonidzashe (800m), Mutonodzi Tendai (1,500m), Lusinga Pride (110mH, 400mH), Muswazi Anesu (110mH), Makaya Elvis (110mH, 400mH), Zimuto Tendai (5,000m) Tarakinyu Moses (5,000m), Dube Prince (5,000m),Tshuma Bhekisisa (long jump, triple jump), Mada Brian (triple jump), Katuka Prince (high jump), Msamanyada Mathew (high jump), Muchichwa Takudzwa (high jump, 110mH), Nyakuwengana Edwin (discus, shot putt)
Online Reporter