admin
Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
SIX-YEAR-OLD Obey Makamu of Hlekwini’s Samathonga Primary School stole the show at yesterday’s Cross-Country Championships held at Nketa Park when he came position 14th out of 21 in a time of 28 minutes 39.66 seconds.
Makamu, born in March 2007 participated in the boys’ Under-16 category which was made of Form One athletes.
Young Makamu won spectators’ admiration with his pace, consistency and discipline as he maintained his position throughout the three laps, running side by side with his father Brian.
“I am happy that I managed to come ahead of people older than me. This is my first competitive race and I want to participate in more races,” said Obey.
The young athlete wanted to register in the 8km race which was for Under-18 and 20 boys but organisers fearing for his health registered him in the 6km category.
“He (Obey) can run 10km in 48 minutes and when we saw an article in the Chronicle newspaper last week I said to myself, why don’t I introduce him to the competitive field and that is why I brought him here. The organisers refused to register him in the 10km race but he did well in the 6km race, finishing stronger than older athletes.
“Obey’s endurance is amazing and that is why when he crossed the finishing line he wanted to go for another lap because he is used to running 10km,” said Brian.
Brian, a former long distance runner, once affiliated to Mutare’s Harlem Athletics Club and claims to have competed with the likes of Charles Soza and Cuthbert Nyasango back in the days, said he introduced his son to athletics when the boy was two years old.
He believes that his son will be a renowned long distance runner because of the training he gets.
“I know people might say I am abusing the child but I am not because every time I go out for my exercises, Obey follows me. He started doing so when he was two years old and after seeing that white people were introducing their children to sport at a tender age, I decided to follow suit.
“I know he can earn a living through athletics if he fails to make it academically,” said Brian.
Zimbabwe’s most celebrated sportspersons, swimming icon Kirsty Coventry and the Black brothers Byron and Wayne who were tennis players were introduced to their respective sporting disciplines at a tender age.
Sports scientist Bhekuzulu Khumalo was full of praise for Obey but said he risks stifling his development.
“It is good to see such a young talent but it needs to be nurtured in a proper way. Obey did well with his speed but he must practice in shorter distances and be gradually introduced to longer as he grows. Overloading him scientifically can affect his development,” said Khumalo.
Meanwhile, three athletes who competed in the Under-20 boys’ category Nkosilathi Bafana of Sparrows, Blessed Ruguchu of Ihlosi and Vincent Dube also from Sparrows had a B-standard qualification time after crossing the finishing line under 29 minutes 50 seconds.
Bafana came first in his category in 27 minutes 01.75sec followed by Ruguchu who ran 27 minutes 20.70sec with Dube coming third in 27 minutes 52.10 seconds.
Results
Under-16
Boys (6km): 1. Alicate Matiza (Mpopoma High School, 22mins 31.53sec) 2. Victor Muzi (Mpopoma High School, 22mins 38.47sec), 3. Takudzwa Chigwida (Northlea High School, 23mins 18.85sec), 4. Mkhokheli Sibanda (Independent, 24mins 21.46sec), 5. Methias Fungamai (Mpopoma High School, 24mins 49.55sec)
Girls (6km): 1. Sikhathele Nkomazana (Mpopoma High School, 31mins 10.93sec), 2. Attalia Ndlovu (Mpopoma High School, 32mins 12.21sec), 3. Loveness Chunda (Mpopoma High School, 33mins 05.44sec), 4. Blessed Bhulu (Mpopoma High School, 35mins 25.60sec), 5. Progress Maphosa (Mpopoma High School, 35mins 26.11sec)
Under-18
Boys (8km): 1. Barberton Mhlanga (Northlea High School, 28mins 29.65sec) 2. Obert Ncube (Ihlosi, 29mins 36.49sec), 3. Dumo Mkhwananzi (Sparrows, 30mins 19.26sec) 4. Mgcini Ncube (Sparrows, 30mins 31.50sec), 5. Kwanele Moyo (Ihlosi, 31mins 29.95sec)
Girls (6km): 1. Patience Gurure (Sparrows, 23mins 07.90sec), 2. Cynthia Taderera (Mpopoma High School, 23mins 50.40sec), 3. Edin Ncube (Juma Phiri Academy, 24mins 39.30sec), 4. Sandra Taderera (Mpopoma High School, 32mins 02.90sec)
Under-20
Boys (8km): 1. Nkosilathi Bafana (Sparrows, 27mins 01.75sec), 2. Blessed Ruguchu (Ihlosi, 27mins 20.70), 3. Vincent Dube (Sparrows, 27mins 52.10sec), 4. Abraham Ncube (Sparrows, 28mins 17.55sec), 5. Fedinally Sibanda (Ihlosi, 28mins 49.62sec)
Girls (6km): 1. Nobukhosi Dube (23mins 03.00sec)
Seniors
Men (12km): 1. Isaac Mpofu (ZRP Fairbridge, 39mins 16.42sec), 2. Ngonidzashe Ncube (ZRP Fairbridge, 39mins 16.74sec), 3. Trust Chidemaya (ZRP Fairbridge, 39mins 40.16sec)
Women (8km): 1. Roseta Mandebvu (City Striders, 31mins 37.60sec), 2. Annie Chirisa (ZRP Fairbridge, 34mins 28.10sec), 3. Nomsa Silenje (36mins 10.00)
Online Reporter