Spectacular show expected at Wafawafa Athletics meet

THE buzz is building up for the Wafawafa Athletics Championships, the first national event organised by the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz).

The meeting will be at White City Stadium Track on Saturday and promises fireworks as it is a selection competition in which all eligible junior and senior runners around Southern Africa have been invited to come and claim places in the top 10 rankings.

These will be used in assembling national team events this year as Naaz eyes identifying athletes and teams towards the Los Angeles Olympics set for 2028.

Those who slip up will lose a place in the top 10.

This has made good ingredient for a good field and quality competition is expected to be the order of the day as athletics has once again taken its rightful place among the keenly followed disciplines.

This is all thanks to the exploits on the international scene by legends Tapiwanashe Makarawu, Isaac Mpofu and Makanaishe Charamba.

Watson Madanyika, the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Athletics Board chairman, said all provinces are expected to send their top athletes to the event.

“The athletes are gearing up to give it their all. The competition is set to be a thrilling showcase of Zimbabwe’s finest athletic talent, with the cream of the crop vying for a spot in the national teams.

“We will be using an electronic timer, so there is all for the athlete to want to excel and be counted among our best,” said Madanyika.

The host provincial boss said athletes will be vying for places for the World Relays (Botswana), World Junior Championships (United States of America), African Junior Championships (Mauritius), African Senior Championships (Ghana) and Africa union of Sports Council (Region Five) Games (Mozambique) teams this year.

Madanyika disclosed that national team coaches Phakamile Lisimati (head), junior national team coach Silas Muringani and youth coach Braid Nhubu will all be in attendance to shortlist athletes for their respective teams.

Among the top athletes expected are Leeford Zuze, who has the fastest 400m time of any Zimbabwean this year, a 45.62 second effort achieved in Pretoria, South Africa, recently.

He will certainly be up against Denis Hove, who has the second-best time of 45.83 seconds, also timed in Pretoria.

Veteran Geren Muwishi will want to make amends and complete the 400m after failing in Pretoria and be among the best six one-lap runners to be considered for the 4x400m relay team that Naaz boss Tendai Tagara, believes can make the grade for Botswana for the World Relays.

Young Methembe Tshuma will be among the favourites in the 200m.

But it’s not just the men’s events that are generating excitement. Rutendo Vushe, the flying Nust star, is set to electrify the crowd with her lightning speed in the 100m and 200m dashes. Her experience at the World Universities Games in Germany has given her the edge, and she’s hungry for gold.

Isaac Mpofu, the Olympian, is a force to be reckoned with in the distance events.

He may do the 5,000 and 10,000 to work on his speed ahead of future marathons in the first third of 2026.

The competition is more than just a trial — it’s a chance to shine, to prove themselves, and to wear the national colours with pride.

As the starting gun blows, the energy will be palpable, and the crowd will be on their feet.
Who will rise to the challenge?
Who will grab the spotlight?

One thing’s for sure — slots are there for the taking.