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Tadious Manyepo in Lilongwe, Malawi
SPRINTERS Panashe Nhenga and Samkeliso Ndebele had endured a lot in the past few months.
They have suffered injuries and they have also not done so well in the World Junior Championships.
But, the pair is in the right shape to win gold when they take on the zone in the Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Nhenga is the leading prospect for the country in the boys’ short distances section while Ndebele is expected to win gold in the women’s category.
They are not the only ones though with Denzel Simusialela another hopeful in the boys’ section and Brenda Njodzi also expected to do well in the female 800m race.
Nhenga, who is ranked eighth in Africa says he should run a personal best to clip a podium finish.
Zimbabwe athletics coach Mavhuto Tumba said the country can expect wonders from his team which will begin participating in this 13-sport discipline jamboree next week.
“I am excited being one of the coaches for the participants of the AUSC Region 5 Games. These games are very prestigious and having Zimbabwe as part of the contestants is as inspiring as it is encouraging.
“I am very confident these athletes will win medals for the country,” said Tumba.
“We are not in Malawi for holiday. We are here to develop and compete. We need to take the medals home. My athletes have been exhibiting maturity and a strong mentality in training. If they can take the same spirit into the track then we are home and dry”.
Zimbabwe is fielding contestants in 12 sport codes including athletics, basketball, boxing, gymnastics, taekwondo, judo, swimming, netball, tennis, eSports, volleyball and athletics VI.
The Games, which will run up to December 11, will officially be opened by Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera at the Bingu National Stadium today.
Meanwhile, Director of Sport in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Eugenia Chidhakwa has applauded the spirit shown by the Under-16 basketball players who completed in the 3X3 competition yesterday.
Both the girls and boys teams were competing in this format for the first time and they gave a good fight despite failing to grab podium finishes. — @manyepotaddy3
Online Reporter