Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE countdown has begun for what promises to be one of the most electrifying events on the national athletics calendar, the Inter-provincial Athletics Championships, aptly dubbed The Battle of the 10 Provinces. Set for Saturday, June 7 at White City Stadium, the championships will serve as a critical qualifier for regional and global events, setting the stage for Zimbabwe’s return to elite athletics.
With Zimbabwe set to host the Southern Region Senior Athletics Championships (SADC) in Harare from July 26–27, the June meet in Bulawayo is very significant. It is more than a competition; it is the final audition for Team Zimbabwe. Athletes who excel will book their spots on the national team and, potentially, punch tickets to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
“This is not just a local showdown, it’s the final selection platform for our senior national team,” said Manuel Mpofu, the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) competitions director. “We are calling on all aspiring champions across the provinces to give it their all. The path to Tokyo begins here at White City.”
The surge in local athletics is being credited to a fresh branding and engagement strategy rolled out in February by Naaz, in partnership with 5Brands Consulting Group. The initiative has breathed new life into the sport, translating into increased attendance at domestic meets and record breaking athlete participation.
This was evident during the junior national championships held on April 12 in Bulawayo, where events were so popular that several required up to five heats to accommodate all athletes. The event served as a litmus test for Naaz’s organisational capacity and they passed with flying colours.
Building on that momentum, provincial athletics boards across the country are holding their own championships to scout top talent. Those who rise to the top will converge in Bulawayo on June 7, with dreams of wearing the national vest.
“This year, the provinces are leaving nothing to chance,” Mpofu said. “Every coach, athlete, and technical official knows that performing well at White City is non-negotiable, it determines who represents Zimbabwe in July.”
The resurgence of Zimbabwean athletics is also being fuelled by stellar international performances. Makanakaishe Charamba and Tapiwanashe Makarawu have both clocked a blistering 20.13 seconds in the indoor 200m, one of the season’s best times globally. Charamba has also blazed to an outdoor 19.99 second run, making him the fastest over the distance worldwide, as of last week.
Such feats underscore the high stakes awaiting those competing in Bulawayo. For many, it’s a chance to follow in the footsteps of these trailblazers and put Zimbabwean athletics firmly back on the global map. Before the Inter-provincial Championships take centre stage, Bulawayo will play host to the Payne Mdhlongwa Invitational Championships on May 30. Organised by the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Athletics Board, this event will serve as a crucial warm up, particularly for athletes in the southern region.
