adminTHE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe received a huge boost as it strives to have its athletes meet the qualifying standards for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro Brazil in August, when it received an invitation from Athletics South Africa to take part in a high profile track and field competition.
The ASA Nite Series will run from 8 to 22 March, 19 April to 24 May. The event on 24 May will be a relay meeting.
Acknowledging the ASA invitation NAAZ director of coaching, talent identification and development Pakamile Lisimati said they would use the event to revive the once potent relay teams.
“We are planning to build a team that will compete in those events and hope it will lead to us coming up with a strong relay team that will represent us at the African champs in Durban in July. This is a welcome development to us, as you know we have already lined up a lot of high quality and competitive events locally and in neighbouring countries so as to provide a wide platform and increased opportunities to race and qualify (for the Olympics),’’ said Lisimati.
“We have already started assembling relay teams (4×100 & 4x400m) that will see the beginning of our revival and challenge for honours regionally and internationally. We will be sending teams to represent us in the relays at the Athletics South Africa Nites series.’’
Zimbabwe boasts of an array of talented sprinters mostly based in the United States who can form the nucleus of potent relay team. These include the likes of Tatenda Tsumba, Tinashe Mutanga, Elton Kativhu, Michael Songore, and the seasoned duo of Ngonidzashe Makusha, Gabriel Mvumvure.
Zimbabwe at one stage had strong 4x400m and 4x100m relay teams.
The 4x400m relay team comprising Lloyd Zwasiya, Lewis Banda, Temba Ncube and Talkmore Nyongani won gold at the 2004 African Championships.
There were bronze medals for the 4x400m team at the 2007 continental Games while the 4x100m team also won bronze at the same competition.
In 2011 a Zimbabwe team of youngsters led by United States-based Tinashe Mutanga won silver in the 4×100 metres at the African Junior Championships. Many athletics enthusiasts still feel that team of Fungai Beukerwa, Abdul Simbili, Felby Mukusha and Mutanga, should have laid foundations for further progression.
The past relay teams revolved around the likes of Nelton Ndebele, Young Talkmore Nyongani, Gabriel Chikomo, Banda, Brian Dzingai, Gabriel Mvumvure and Temba Ncube, athletes who were always ready to compete.
According to the ASA athletes coordinator Hezekiel Sepeng, invited federations for the Nite Series should send three athletes and national 4x100m or 4x400m relay teams.
The organisers will offer full board and lodging and internal transportation for two days before competition and an equal number of days after competition.
However, each national federation will be responsible for their athletes travelling expenses to South Africa.
Online Reporter