adminMidlands Sports Correspondent
THE Shabanie Mine Track and Field Championships will make a long-awaitted return this weekend following a two-year absence with fireworks expected at Maglas Stadium in Zvishavane. The two-day event, which will run from tomorrow was last held in May 2011 after Errympple College committed to bankroll the tournament.
Prior to the funding by the college, the championships had not been held for two years due to sponsorship challenges.
However, the college could not sponsor the event the following year which forced the organisers to shelve the athletics meeting.
The competition, which is one of the major meetings on the local calendar, had hit hard times following the withdrawal of sponsors but is now back after a consortium of Zvishavane businesspeople pooled resources together to bankroll the athletics extravaganza which provides a platform for future stars to showcase their talent.
Speaking from his Zvishavane base, Midlands Athletics Board secretary, William Chuwa said preparations are on course for the event and added that invites had already been sent to leading clubs from around the country as well as neighbouring mining teams and schools.
“I am happy to announce that the Shabanie Mine Track and Field Championships are back after the local business community came on board to assist with sponsorship. However, I am not at liberty now to disclose the sponsors and the amount which is being poured into the event,
“What I can tell you for now is that we have started our stadium preparations at Maglas and invites have been sent to all the clubs and schools around the country and therefore we are anticipating a huge turnout since, traditionally, this event is one of the major highlights of the athletics calendar.
“We have already received confirmation from clubs such as Ziscosteel and Hwange and we are looking forward to more confirmations by the end of the week,” he said.
The event will be for seniors and juniors.
Online Reporter