Ngwabi joins 37 runners for ZITF Four-Minute Mile semis

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE country’s top middle-distance runners Phathisa Ngwabi, Elijah Mabhunu, Kelvin Pangiso and Cephas Pasipamire booked their places in the ZITF Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile semi-finals after running yesterday’s qualifiers in under the cut off time of four minutes 31 seconds. They are part of 38 athletes that will compete in the semi-finals set for Friday morning at White City Stadium.

A total of 20 athletes will battle it out for the top purse on Saturday at the ZITF Main Arena.

Ngwabi finished second behind Isaac Mpofu of ZRP Fairbridge in four minutes 28 seconds at the qualifiers supervised by Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) chairman Manuel Mpofu at White City Stadium. Isaac Mpofu completed the race in four minutes 22 seconds.

Another Bulawayo athlete that booked his place on the last day of qualifiers is Sparrows’ Vincent Dube in four minutes 30 seconds. Through their Harare compatriots, Bab organised trials in the capital for Mabhunu, Pangiso, Pasipamire as well as the unheralded Blessed Chidziva.

“We’re done and ready for the semi-finals. We now have 38 athletes and they will run in two batches at the semi-finals where only 20 will progress to Saturday’s final,” said Manuel Mpofu.

“The reason we had two final trials in Harare and Bulawayo is that some of the athletes like Pangiso and Pasipamire were overseas competing in Olympic marathon qualifiers and they came back at the weekend. Officials from the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) based in Harare supervised the final trial, with me doing the same here in Bulawayo.”

Ngwabi, who arrived in Bulawayo from Hwange yesterday morning, said he is looking forward to the finals. “I believe I can make it to the finals. Competition will be tight and for me to make it to the final, I’ve to get adequate rest, which means I will sleep in Bulawayo on Thursday,” said Ngwabi.

Qualified athletes:
Levison Mafuva, Boniface Jeki, Simbarashe Chigadaga, Trust Hove, Collen Matende, Charles Makanda (all Black Rhinos), Wirimayi Juwawo (Shabanie Mine), Nkosiyazi Sibanda, Tawanda Matunhu, Vinel Moyo (all Blanket Mine), Jacob Mugomeri (Zimpost Kadoma), Thanks Mapiwa, Dumo Mkwananzi, Thamsanqa Ncube, Bismarck Ndlovu, Ntando Maphosa, Hlalani Ngwenya, Vincent Dube (all Sparrows), Tendai Zimuto, Wellington Varevi, Nyasha Mutsetse, Titus Nyathi, Nyasha Chiutsva (all Harare Athletics Club), Kelvin Gundani (Ziscosteel), Willard Mutasa (One Brigade), Admire Chiurawa (Mashonaland East), Respect Chinosiya (Masvingo), Kenias Mabone (Banket), Amon Moyo, John Payarira, Barberton Mhlanga, Trust Chidomaya, Isaac Mpofu (ZRP Fairbridge), Jonathan Chinyoka, Kelvin Pangiso (ZPCS), Phathisa Ngwabi (Hwange), Elijah Mabhunu, Cephas Pasipamire (ZRP Harare), Blessed Chidziva (Independent)