Chronicle EditorEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE middle-distance runner Enlitha Ncube turned on a remarkable performance at the just-ended Confederation of Schools Sports Association of Southern Africa Athletics Championships to qualify for the World Junior Championships in July.The Cosasa championships were held from April 23 to 26 in Gaborone with different countries from within the region participating and Zimbabwe came third behind Namibia and Botswana.
Zimbabwe, who were the defending champions, had a total of 50 medals, 11 gold, 22 silver and 17 bronze.
However, it was Ncube who turned on an outstanding show as she scooped a gold medal in the 1 500m event in 4,09minutes and qualify for the World Junior Championships. The championships will be held in July in the United States and so far she is the only athlete who has booked her place at the global event. Ncube is also part of the team to represent the nation at the Africa Youth Games next month in Botswana.
National head in charge athletics Philip Chikomwe hailed the team for their performance despite failing to defend their title. “The team performed very well in Botswana and I think our athletes are in the right direction. We have very good athletes, three of our athletes broke Cosasa records.
“Enlitha Ncube qualified for the World Junior Championships in the 1 500m while Tanaka Mushukutu broke the 100m record and our relay team for the 4x100m also broke the record,” said Chikomwe.
Chikomwe said they intend to introduce more competition to keep their athletes active throughout the year so that they realise their full potential.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendai Tagara said they will be sending a team to compete in the Southern Region Junior Championships slated for May 9 and 10 in South Africa.
“One of our juniors qualified for the World Junior Championships. So far she is the only one who has qualified. But we expect four or five more athletes to qualify in South Africa.
“There will be more countries and more competition and that will push them. We are also in the process of intensifying our preparations for the Africa Youth Games and we are going to have another camp from May 15 to 21 in Harare,” said Tagara.
Online Reporter