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Ellina Mhlanga, Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOLLOWING their selection event on Sunday, Harare Athletic Board coaches’ coordinator Mavhuto Tumba says they are looking at fielding a competitive team at the upcoming National Junior Championships.
The province is finalising the team to compete at the junior meet next month in Bulawayo.
They held a track and field competition yesterday at the National Sports Stadium B Arena with just over 200 participants taking part.
This year’s national championships will serve as the final selection competition for the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games scheduled for July in Namibia.
HAB have made it clear, their goal at the national event, is to field athletes with potential to make entry standards for the Region 5 Games.
Yesterday’s meet, was the second selection event, following the National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) competition last Friday at Prince Edward School.
“We managed to pick some of the guys that we want to go for the selection of the juniors, who are supposed to go for Region 5.
“We are going to combine that, the list from this competition and the other guys who attended NASH for the selection as well. We managed to have two meets, NASH and this HAB selection,” said Tumba.
“Most of these guys have once represented Harare in NASH and also in the provincial competitions. The majority of them managed to win.
“They were in the top three. And most of the guys managed to get gold medals in the previous year. We are hoping to do the same on the selection for the Region 5.”
The province is looking at fielding 40 to 45 athletes. Some of the athletes that made it on the list include triple jumper Takunda Mutizwa, who emerged tops yesterday in the Under-18 with a 14m jump.
“I think there was not much competition, but I think I always try to push myself because it’s always me against the pit. So, I always just try to push myself and improve my distance day by day.
“I think it’s very important to me (making the provincial team) because that’s my goal to keep going further and further and see how much I can improve myself,” said Mutizwa.
In track events Brenda Njodzi, Ndodana Paradza and Blessed Sipanela are some of the athletes that made the team from yesterday’s competition.
They are looking forward to the national championships.
While the focus was on selecting the junior team, the meet was open to all age groups and some of the seniors that participated include ZRP’s Gladys Mukome, who won the women’s 100m.
“Today’s event was exciting, but the competition was a bit low, I am not sure what’s happening with other athletes.
“But the competition was exciting . . . I noticed there is so much competition in the junior’s section. Although we had limited numbers today, there is so much competition,” said Mukome.
Blessing Waison came first in the men’s 5 000m, followed by Jonathan Chinyoka.
Tendai Zimuto finished first in 3 000m.
“Its important for us to support our provincial and national events and I believe it also inspires our juniors.
“And for us its important in terms of building speed, especially when you are a marathon runner, you need these types of events.
“I am very happy to be part of this event,” said Zimuto.
Online Reporter