Nyoni speaks on World Under-20 Championships preparations

Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
ATHLETICS coach Zibusiso Nyoni, who is set to lead the athletes for the World Athletics Under-20 Championships due to take place from August 17 to 22 in Kenya, says they remain positive despite limited training and lack of competition in their build-up.

The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe are expecting to field Clinton Muunga from Matabeleland South and Harare-based Samukeliso Ndebele at the meet to take place in Nairobi.

Muunga ran qualifying times in 100m and 200m while Ndebele posted a qualifying time in 200m.

Nyoni, who is expected to accompany the athletes, says he has been working with the athletes’ individual coaches since they have been training in their respective bases.

“This has been a difficult time because of the Covid-19. I mostly communicate with the coaches on the ground who are constantly with the athletes. But we are doing our level best.

“We are working on some endurance especially for Clinton, who is entered for two event, 100m and 200m. We have also some gym work to work on their strengths and leg explosiveness. We are working on their general body stability,” said Nyoni.

Muunga ran qualifying times, when he clocked 10.46 seconds in 100m, and 21.21 seconds in 200m.

Ndebele ran 23.30 seconds 200m in the women’s section.

The qualifying time for junior men 100m is 10.58 seconds and, for 200m, it’s 21.38 seconds.

For junior women, the 100m qualifying time is 11.85 seconds and for 200m it’s 24.35 seconds.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has really affected our preparations because as soon as the athletes qualified, all competitions were suspended locally, so in actual fact they are lacking race practice to a larger extent.

“There was need for two or so races before the major championship. Now it’s going to be a do or die situation in their first round races.

“I have no doubt they will sail through the first round owing to their times done locally here. Mentally they are ready and pumped up to go and do according to expectations,” said Nyoni.