Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
TENDAI Tagara, president of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz), is brimming with confidence as Zimbabwean athletes gear up for the upcoming Botswana Championships at the Gaborone National Stadium on April 12. With fierce competition on the horizon, Tagara believes the event is a crucial stepping stone for the Zimbabwean team as it coincides with the qualification deadline for the World Relays in China next month.
As the countdown to the World Relays draws near, Zimbabwe’s 4x400m relay team, fresh off a first-place finish at a competition in Francistown with a time of 3 minutes 03,39 seconds, is aiming to break into the elite group of 32 teams that will qualify for the prestigious event in China. Only the top relay teams, based on their best performances before the April 13 deadline, will secure a spot in the World Relays.
In an exclusive interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub, Tagara expressed optimism about Zimbabwe’s chances. “The boys are training hard at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, fully aware of the pressure to perform. With strong competition worldwide, they are focused on improving their times in the upcoming events,” he said.
Ranked 28th in the world, the 4x400m relay team has been using their position as a springboard to push for even greater success. “Our athletes are not resting on their laurels. They’re putting in the work to ensure we represent Zimbabwe at the World Relays in China. The excitement of joining the ranks of the great athletics nations is real,” said Tagara.
Beyond the 4x400m relay team, Tagara is hopeful that fresh talent from the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) athletics championships will add strength to the squad. The recent Nash championships brought forward promising sprinters who were unavailable for the Francistown competition and could be vital for the 4x100m relay team, which previously clocked a solid 40 seconds.
However, Tagara voiced his frustration at the under-performance of athletes from certain Southern Region provinces, such as Bulawayo, Masvingo, Matabeleland North and South, and the Midlands. Despite the availability of coaching clinics and training opportunities, these regions have struggled to capitalise on the resources, leaving them trailing behind in both primary and secondary school athletics.
“We need to address the root causes of this under-performance. Athletics should be an all-year-round commitment, not just a focus during the first term,” said Tagara. “If we are to see consistent progress, we must ensure that every region has the support and dedication to develop its athletes.”
As preparations for the national junior championships at White City Stadium on April 12 ramp up, Tagara is hopeful that the competition will serve as a launching pad for the next generation of Zimbabwean athletes. The junior championships are a key selection event for the African Junior Championships in Ghana later this year, and Tagara expects a competitive field eager to make their mark.
“We’re excited to conclude the schools’ athletics and look forward to seeing a strong and competitive field ready to represent Zimbabwe,” said Tagara.
