adminNgqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
THE installation of a tartan athletics track is set to cement WHITE City Stadium as the ceremonial home of athletics in Bulawayo ahead of the Africa Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games.White City, with its outdated cinder ash track had fallen behind in the pecking order of hosting athletics events as the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe’s preferred choice, the National University of Science and Technology’s track is tartan. White City had only remained a cheaper option for athletics meets.
A tartan track is the trademarked all-weather synthetic track surfacing made of polyurethane which is used for track and competitions. The track is user friendly in that it allows athletes to compete in bad weather without any serious performance loss (as opposed to running in what turns into mud) and improves their results over other surfaces.
The tartan track also provides a more consistent surface for competition even under optimum weather. Such tracks have become the standard for most elite competitions.
Athletes from the 11 countries taking part in the Region Five Youth Games will converge at White City as they seek to outsmart each other in the various events both track and field.
White City has hosted several events that include national championships, inter-district Paralympics, and annual schools athletics events. Visually handicapped athletes will also be taking part in athletics with a running race reserved for them.
Although there have been delays in the revamping of the stadium the Local Organising Committee has assured stakeholders that White City will be ready in time to host the Games.
Zimbabwe has had a fair share of top athletes emerging and holding their own against the best although we have had more successes in long distance running than in short distances.
The country has produced athletes such as three-time Comrades Marathon winner, Stephen Muzhingi, Paralympics medallist, Elliot Mujaji, former national champion, Samukeliso Moyo, Abel Chimukoko, 100m national record holder, Ngonidzashe Makusha, Gabriel Mvumbvure Brian Dzingai, Nelton Ndebele, Letiwe Mharakurwa and Namatirayi Mawugara, among others.
Young athlete, Yvonne Vanhuvaone is expected to lead the charge of Team Zimbabwe’s athletes as she has been in a class of her own over the past two years in the sprints category (100m and 200m) while other junior athletes such as Valentious Shoko (100m), Jordan Mubako and Sydney Nyoni (both long jump) are also set to be included in the under 20 team that will compete at the Games.
Other young athletes who have represented Zimbabwe in other international competitions and could make it into the team include Anesu Muswazi (100m and 110m hurdles), Takudzwa Muchichwa (high jump), Andile Mhlanga (long jump and triple jump), Talent Gomba (100m and 200m), Sean Banda (100m), Shingirai Hlanguyo (200m), Maryjoy Mudyiravani (1 500m and 800m), Michael Songore (200m) and Melissa Hwarambwa (100m hurdles).
According to Wikipedia athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country and race walking. The simplicity of the competitions, and the lack of a need for expensive equipment, makes athletics one of the most commonly competed sports in the world. Athletics is mostly an individual sport, with the exception of relay races and competitions which combine athletes’ performances for a team score, such as cross country.
GOOD LUCK TEAM ZIMBABWE!
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