adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
SENIOR and junior athletes meet today at the National Sports Stadium B Arena for the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe championships which are held every month in an effort to create more competitive events on the local scene.
The championships are rotated between Harare and Bulawayo with athletes from across the country taking part in various track and field events on offer.
NAAZ president Tendai Tagara said today’s meet serves as a preparatory event for various upcoming regional and international competitions.
“These are the national championships we usually hold in Harare and Bulawayo. They will be used for selection of the Junior World Championships, Southern Region Junior Championships and Youth Championships teams.
“We also have a selection for the Senior Africa Championships team to be held in June. Then for the Olympics we have a number of guys who are looking for times in the 5 000m, so there is a 5 000m event for both the juniors and seniors.
“We are expecting a big turnout based on that Nash are also preparing to go for the Cossasa Games in Namibia in May.
“So a lot of juniors will come to the keep in shape and also to try and qualify for the World Junior championships,” said Tagara.
Tagara said the events slated for this month and May will give them a picture of the number of athletes they are likely to take for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
At the moment four long distance runners have qualified for the Games and the focus is now more on the track events.
“This month of April we expect high level of competitions because everyone is trying to qualify for a certain event, the Junior World championships, regional championships and the Olympics.
“So these two months, April and May, will also give us a picture of how many athletes we are going to have for the Olympics especially the track athletes.
“A lot of athletes who are pushing for the 5 000m are also expected to come because our next event in Bulawayo we will be pushing for the 10 000m event,” Tagara said.
Some of the senior athletes expected are Munyaradzi Jari, Jacob Mugomeri and Olivia Chitate, who are seeking qualification for the Olympic Games.
Junior development coach Silas Muringani, who was conducting a training camp for the juniors and youths at Prince Edward since Monday said they are optimistic of at least two athletes meeting the qualification times for the World Junior championships.
So far Rutendo Chimbaru has qualified for the championships in the 400m event.
“We can’t rule out one or two surprises as most athletes are working towards their peak period now. With Rutendo Chimbaru having broken the ice in Mutare we expect another qualification as most of the youngsters are confident this can be done.
“The camp gave the coaches direct interaction with athletes and a chance to assess the athlete’s performance in a non-competitive environment.
“It will also assist give the coaches who work with the athletes in the various provinces some recommendations regarding their strengths and weaknesses,” said Muringani.
Muringani was working together with the director in charge of youth development, Briad Nhubu.
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