adminMzingaye Sibanda, Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Metropolitan Province has named 50 athletes who will participate in the track and field events at the National Youth Games set for the city next month.The Bulawayo athletics team who came out first in the track and field events at the last edition of the National Youth Games held in Bindura where they scooped seven gold medals will be hoping to continue the feat and win more medals at home.
The team is positive that it will defend its crown at the 11th edition of Games that will run from 17- 25 August.
United States-based Sean Banda and Yvonne Vanhuvaone who participated at the just ended IAAF Games in Ukraine are expected to lead Bulawayo’s athletics team.
Sparrows Athletic Club contributed the biggest number of athletes, 27, for Team Bulawayo and the provincial manager Vusumuzi Mlilo is confident that the athletes will excel at the games.
Mlilo said they opted for rookies with a long-term goal of preparing for next year’s event.
“We have rookies in the team as we lost most influential athletes because of change in age limit after being told that we have to take athletes born after 1 January 1995. However, we still have the influence of Yvonne and Brian who recorded their best times in Ukraine.
“I’m positive we will do well, but for now we are building the team for next year,” said Mlilo
The Bulawayo National Youth Games athletics team is set to camp at Eveline High School for their final preparations on 8 August.
The National University of Science and Technology will play host to the National Youth Games’ track and field competitions.
Bulawayo Athletics Squad
Girls: Tanya Matada, Sandra Taderera, Cynthia Taderera (Mpopoma), Thandiwe Chekwanda, Fortunate Chichichi, Portia Moyo (Luveve), Yvone Vanhuvaone , Faith Moyo, Antoneta Tembo, Nobukhosi Dube, Morrin Gumbo, Nothando Maseko, Lynette Furera, Ropafadzo Chibondo, Getrude Nxumalo, Sibanda Sharleen (Sparrows), Adam Natasha (CBC).
Boys: Zifiso Moyo, Amos Ncube, Arthur Mkhwananzi, Sheppard Gumede,Pride Mugwagwa, Lesley Chibaro, Adrian, Manyathela, Andiswe Dube,Wilbert Mkandla, Mthabisi Phiri, Abraham Ncube, Vincence Dube, Blessing Zondo, Dysan Sihwa,Nkosilathi Bafana Dumo Mkhwananzi(Sparrows), Berton Mhlangisi, (Northlea) Nathan Munemo (Ihlosi) ,Nosta Ngirazi, (Townsend) Yves Kayeye, Andile Khumalo, Junior Ncube (Milton), Carlton Ndlovu (CBC), Bumnene Ndebele (Petra), Peter Majere (Bulawayo Polytechnic), Sean Banda (NCAA).
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