adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
NINTEEN-year-old Nigel Jena booked himself a ticket to the World Junior Championships set for Poland in July after romping home in 10.42 seconds in the 100M dash at the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) inter-provincial finals at White City Stadium at the weekend. Jena beat a strong field that included Kundayi Maguranyanga of Masvingo province emerging second in 10.69s, while Bulawayo’s Welcome Mudiwa was third in 10.72s.
For his efforts, Jena will now compete with the best in junior world athletics from July 19-24.
The two-day athletics event, which was also graced by former Naaz president Joseph Mungwari and the entire Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) led by chairman Manuel Mpofu, was won by the hosts Bulawayo, who hauled eight gold, 12 silver and eight bronze medals.
Bulawayo got the same number of gold medals as runners-up Harare, but were top due to winning more silver medals.
Harare won just a single silver medal and four bronze medals.
Matabeleland South were third with five gold medals and three silver as well as two bronze medals.
Manicaland province returned home without a medal, while Mashonaland East only got a bronze medal.
“We want to believe the event was a huge success as shown by the number of teams that pitched up. To our partners, who include Delta Beverages through their Coca Cola brand and Turnall, we want them to know that without their interest in the sport, this whole thing wouldn’t have happened,” said Mpofu.
Medals table
Gold Silver Bronze
Bulawayo 8 12 8
Harare 8 1 4
Matabeleland South 5 3 2
ZRP 2 6 1
Mashonaland West 2 1 0
Matabeleland North 2 0 1
Masvingo 1 3 0
University of Zimbabwe 0 2 1
Mashonaland Central 0 2 0
Midlands 0 1 1
CUT 0 1 1
Mashonaland East 0 0 1
Manicaland 0 0 0
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter