Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HARARE Athletic Board vice chairperson Aaron Whyte says the upcoming track and field meet scheduled for this Saturday at the University of Zimbabwe is key to coaches and athletes gauging their readiness for the 2026 season.
The competition will focus on 60m, 150m, 300m, 600m, 1000m, 3000m, relays and all field events.
While it is being organised by the Harare provincial board, the meet is open to athletes from other provinces.
“It is actually a conditioning event where we are not doing the usual track events like 100m, 200m but these are conditioning events like 60m, 150m, 300m, 600m, 1000m, and 3000m,” said Whyte.
“The logic behind it is that athletes are still in the preparatory phase doing specific preparation so they cannot go full out on competitive events.
“But we need events where coaches can actually have a chance to assess their athletes and re-plan, that’s the idea behind it.
“We are targeting all athletes not only from Harare province but across the country because we know when we organise events, we have got athletes coming from around the country, so this event is not only meant for Harare but for all athletes.”
With Harare hosting the National Association of Secondary Heads Athletics Championships next year, Whyte said the competition gives the young athletes the opportunity to begin their build-up early.
Junior athletes are also looking at the African union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games and the World Under-20 Championships.
“We also want to give an opportunity to NASH athletes, an early preparatory phase because Harare will be hosting the NASH competitions next year.
“We would like to set the ball rolling for Harare and there are major competitions coming up as well like the World Junior Championships, we have got the Region 5.
“We want athletes to start preparing way in advance to give coaches time to adjust programmes and re-align their goals with their objectives.
“Registration is in progress at the moment and the numbers are looking very good.
“We have got quite number of top athletes who have registered to take part.”
This is the third year the provincial board is holding such a competition, and the HAB vice chairperson believes the competition has benefited both athletes and coaches.
“This event is very helpful. Like we say, when it comes to training in athletics you cannot just train without competing.
“What we have seen is that in most cases coaches lack the opportunity to watch their kids under a competition set up because usually competition only starts in the New Year, which is a huge disadvantage when it comes to preparations because you need to know where you are with your athletes.”
