Team Zim seeks to impress

Lawson Madzivanyika
The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe is confident the country’s junior athletes will do the nation proud and bring back medals from the Botswana Invitational Track and Field Championships.
The two-day event, which concludes today, attracted athletes from all Sadc countries with Zimbabwe sending a team of 26.
Head of delegation Emmanuel Mpofu believes that team he traveled with is strong enough to compete at continental level and is confident of bringing back medals.
“Our team is strong and we are confident that the majority will make the cut for world junior championships. Patience Ngwenya did well in Mauritius competing against senior women, so this time she will definitely make it and join Rutendo Chimbaru,” said Mpofu.
Chimbaru qualified for this year’s IAAF World Junior Championships after running the 400m in 55:06.
The qualification time for the 400m world competition, to be held in Poland in July, is 55:25.
Mpofu’s sentiments were echoed by NAAZ vice-president Enias Nhoro, who believes the team they sent to Botswana was the best the country had to offer.
“Our team is composed of the best athletes from the country’s ten provinces and as such we are confident that the majority will qualify.
“Such events also expose our athletes to high levels of competition, and that will only benefit our young athletes in the long run.
“Those who fail to qualify in Botswana, have been granted a second chance when we host our interprovincial championships in Bulawayo,” said Nhoro.
The Bulawayo Track and Field Championships have been slated for White City Stadium on May 14- and 15.