Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WITH the World Relays scheduled for Botswana next year, the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe are making it a priority to qualify for at least two events.
The meet is due to take place on May 2 and 3, 2026 in Gaborone.
The programme includes six events — Women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, Men’s 4x100m and 4x400m as well as the Mixed 4x100m and 4x400m. NAAZ president Tendayi Tagara said they are hoping to have at least the 4x100m men’s and 4x400m mixed relay teams making the grade for the competition.
“Botswana might be very close, but we must follow the global route that we must qualify to be in Botswana,” said Tagara.
“We have top 10 runners in America. And the plan is for those athletes in America to run and qualify for the 4x100m.
“We have two top 400m female runners and three top 400m men, that combined means we can also run a mixed relay in America.
“The plan is that both relays, the 4x100m and 4x400m mixed relays, will run and qualify in America. While home we attempt 4x400m.
“We are planning to make sure that athletes push for the 4x400m. But the first thing is, they must run good times.
“If we can have two athletes running for 45 seconds, that would be great. That pushes us in a better position to qualify.”
A maximum of 24 teams will be entered in each event.
The top eight teams in the relay events at the World Championships held in Tokyo, in September, secured their spots for Gaborone.
The remaining places will be filled via top lists from January 1 to April 5, 2026, with the hosts, Botswana, automatically entered in all events.
In the mixed 4x100m, all 24 teams will be selected from top lists.
Zimbabwe’s 4x400m men qualified and competed at this year’s World Relays held in China.
However, Tagara said with entries reduced from 32 to 24 teams for the relays, they have to up their game.
“This time is going to be tough because teams were reduced from 32 to 24.
“If we had at least two athletes running high 45 seconds, we can then be comfortable with qualifying.
“So, athletes have to first run good times, then the association selects them and assist. Presently we do not have that crop. But in 4x100m they have proved it.”
Six teams in both the mixed 4x100m and 4x400m in Gaborone will qualify for the 2026 Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary while 12 teams in every event will qualify for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing, China.
For NAAZ, the target is to make the top 12 at the World Relays and qualify for the 2027 World Championships. From there, aim to finish within the qualifying positions for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
And Tagara said it all starts with the relays in Gaborone.
“Gaborone is the road to Los Angeles. “If we have two relays that are qualifying and running in Botswana, it means that we have to be in the top 12 for us to be in Beijing 2027.
“Then we get to Beijing with two teams again, be in the top 12 means we are in Los Angeles in 2028.
“We are pleading to the corporate world and our partners to raise $20 000 by end of January.
“We send it to America so that they buy air tickets, pay for accommodation, and everything for those athletes who are in America as they travel for competition.
“It’s cheaper for us because the coaches are there, the manager is there in America,” said Tagara.
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