White City ready for athletics showdown

Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub

THE countdown is on for one of Zimbabwe’s biggest athletics showdowns, and all eyes are on White City Stadium, where 10 provinces will clash for supremacy this Saturday. Dubbed “The Battle of the 10 Provinces,” the Interprovincial Athletics Championships promise high stakes, fierce competition, and a major step towards national team selection.

South African TimeTronics expert Campbell Angus Jan is expected to arrive in Bulawayo tomorrow morning to inspect and calibrate the stadium’s electronic timing system ahead of the event.

His visit plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and performance of White City’s timekeeping equipment, especially as the championships serve as a vital fixture on Zimbabwe’s athletics calendar.

National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) Director of Competitions, Manuel Mpofu, confirmed that preparations are progressing smoothly.

“Preparations have gone well and, as of now, I can safely say that we are ready for the meet. Our TimeTronics expert arrives on Thursday to ensure all is in order before the day of the event. Remember, this is an important event not only for Naaz but for the athletes as well. This key event forms a crucial part of Zimbabwe’s national team selection process, paving the way for the Southern Region Senior Championships to be held from 26 to 27 July 2025 in Harare, where Zimbabwe will host over 12 nations from the SADC region,” said Mpofu.

The stadium’s timing system features cutting-edge technology, including a wireless false start detector, ultrasonic wind measurement, a MacPhoto finish timing scoreboard, LED field scoreboard, starting blocks, and a video wall.

The MacPhoto finish camera, recently returned from repairs in Belgium, is now fully operational.

However, the facility has a blemished past. When the system was first installed in 2014, contractors failed to complete the full track to standard, leaving only the 100m stretch compliant with international regulations.

With just days to go, athletes and coaches across the country are sharpening their form and strategy. The Interprovincial Championships are central to Naaz’s 5-Year Strategic Development Plan (2024–2028), aimed at developing elite talent, boosting grassroots participation, enhancing international exposure, and uniting the nation through sport.