National track event draws more athletes

Sports Reporter
WHITE City Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday hosted the 2nd edition of the National Athletics Associations of Zimbabwe Provincial track and field championships with participants drawn from several schools and clubs in the country such as Prince Edward, Churchill Boys High, Kyle College, Induna, Mabhukudwane and Sparrows Athletics Club.

In some of the highlights of the day, Kiana Lees came first with a personal best time of 12.34 seconds in 100m, beating Jeremy Tom and Sparrows young sprinter, Nicole Phiri who came in second and third respectively in the Under-17 girls category.

Season middle distance runner and favourite Enlitha Ncube dominated the 1 500m race to romp home in a time of 10 minutes, and 37.09 seconds, while promising athlete Maureen Ngone (10.55, 41) came in second.

In the 5 000m senior men race young Titus Nyathi took an early lead, maintained pole position and duly won the race in a time of 15 minutes, 50 seconds beating ZRP Fairbridge competitor John Parayira who came second with a time of 16.07.

Sparrows’ member Ngqabutho Ngulube clocked in a time of 1 minute 04.55 seconds in the Under-15 boys 400m beating Mengezi Mbambo who came second and Last Jonga who came third respectively.

The championships were used to identify junior athletes who will represent Zimbabwe at the Africa Junior Championship in Ethiopia early next month.

NAAZ president Tendai Tagara said the first edition of the track and field championships held in Harare did not attract a large number of competitors compared to yesterday’s event although they could not feature field events.

“The turnout of participants is quite encouraging but we are unable to hold field events because there was delay in communication as equipment was not released from storage,” he said.

Tagara said the 3nd series will be held in Harare at the University of Zimbabwe on 15 February and the final selection process would be at White City Stadium on 21 February where selected participants will then go into camp on 28 February.

White City was refurbished last year for African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games that were held in December and has been officially declared the home of athletics in the country.