Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
PROMISING Zimbabwe sprinter Methembe Tshuma is expected to arrive at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport on Saturday afternoon from Ghana where he had gone to take part in the African Senior Championships which ended last Sunday
Tshuma stayed behind when the team returned on Monday after breaking his right femur while running the semi-finals of the 200m. It was a freak incident when he tried to stop abruptly following a false start, tumbling to the tarmac, breaking his femur in the process.
According to the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) president, Tshuma will return alongside Christine Mutangadura who stayed behind to offer support as he underwent surgery.
Mutangadura was the team’s physiotherapist in Ghana.
While in Bulawayo, Tshuma will continue to receive medical attention from a specialist and Mutangadura will help with the rehabilitation process which she begun in Ghana.
“NAAZ will foot Tshuma’s bills,” said Tagara.
Tagara said during the athlete’s rehabilitation NAAZ will also foot expenses related to his traveling to seek treatment or rehabilitation.
Tshuma burst onto the scene running a 10.05 seconds 100m at White City, a time which could not be submitted to World Athletics because the facility is not up to scratch.
Determined, he sought and got sponsorship from Bakers Inn and ran qualifying races in South Africa and Botswana leading to his selection for the African Senior Championships held in Ghana.
He reached both semi-finals of the 100 and 200m and had also led the 4x100m relay team to the final before they pulled out following injuries to Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba.
Manu Mpofu, a senior athletics official in charge of competitions and national team coach Phakamile Lisimati will be at the airport to welcome the athlete.
The season had started well for the former Sobukhazi High School athlete who had just started Fastlane Crew Athletics Club with 300m record holder Thandazani Ndhlovu.
Ndhlovu is also part of the record breaking 4x400m relay team.
Tshuma has the third fastest 100m among Zimbabweans of 10.22 seconds and the second best 200m of 20.26 seconds.
