Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
TEAM Zimbabwe coach Aaron Whyte says they are not underestimating anyone going into the Southern African Confederation of Athletics Under-18 and Under-20 Championships to take place in Mauritius this weekend.
The meet is expected to feature 10 countries from Southern Africa and is now scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex in St Pierre.
Zimbabwe are fielding 22 athletes, and the first group of 10 — Trey Chimunya, Emmanuel Uriga, Calvin Banga, Gift Khumalo, Nenyasha Chihora, Malachi Mafunga, Takudzwa Mbonyeke, Tawananyasha Chakonda, Panashe Mutenure and Alvin Simon — left for Mauritius yesterday, led by Whyte.
“Well, it’s a very well-balanced team.
“We have some kids who have been on the international arena for quite a number of competitions, and then we have got some new guys also coming up, so it’s very balanced.
“We have got guys like Trey Chimunya, Takunda Mutizwa, and Panashe Mutenure, who are seasoned athletes and have represented Zimbabwe at the regional competitions before.
“So, it’s quite balanced, and we are quite confident that they will deliver.
“And we also need their experience, especially in leading the youngsters who are coming up, the Under-18s and some who are getting into the team for the first time,” said Whyte.
The likes of Chimunya, Mutizwa and Mutenure have been to events such as the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games and the Confederation of African Athletics Under-18/Under-20 Championships.
Going into the regional meet, they know what to expect and will be hoping to build on their experiences.
Some of the juniors are also looking at making the entry standards for the forthcoming World Athletics Under-20 Championships due to take place in August in the United States.
There is also the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games in December to be hosted by Mozambique.
The SACA championships remain a key platform for the Southern African countries in pushing for the development of their athletes.
While countries like South Africa and Botswana are among the top in the region, Whyte believes other countries are also on the rise.
“If there is one region that the world needs to look out for at the moment, it’s the Southern Region.
“So, no team is small at the moment. We used to worry about Botswana, South Africa, Namibia. But now it seems like everyone has awakened, and everyone is now performing at their best.
“And you can get surprise performance from any country, even Zambia is a top contender.
“So, all the countries that are coming, even the hosts, Mauritius, I know they have got very good coaches there,” said Whyte.
While he is expecting tough competition, Whyte is confident of the athletes they are taking into this competition.
“We have been working with the athletes.
“They have been camping, they have been doing all sorts of training. We are expecting a challenge from everyone who is coming.
“But one good thing is that our athletes are well-equipped because we have been preparing for this.
“And even their previous performance can speak for them to say they have really been doing so well. So, we are up for the challenge.
“I believe we will deliver.”
In the junior women, they have the likes of Anesu Nyahuma (400m), who last month made her debut at the Africa Senior Championships in Ghana.
She will be out to build on that experience and hopefully inspire some of the youth that made the team.
The team is travelling in two groups, and the second group leaves for Mauritius today.
Team:
Under-18 Men: Malachi Mafunga (400m, 800m) Calvin Banga (400mH), Kebonyemosemane Ndebele (800m), Tanatswa Nyamukondiwa (100m).
Under-20 Men: Trey Chimunya (100m, 200m), Takudzwa Mbonyeke (100m, 200m), Nenyasha Chihora (400m), Emmanuel Uriga (400m), Alvin Simon (200m, 400m), Gift Khumalo (800m), Tawananyasha Chakonda (110mH, long jump), Panashe Mutenure (long jump), Tatenda Chindowa (high jump), Takunda Mutizwa (triple jump, long jump).
Under-18 Women: PraiseGod Nyamulepa (100m, 200m), Delight Maravanyika (100m, 200m).
Under-20 Women: Shalom Sendi (100m, 200m), Anesu Nyahuma (400m), Tashinga Ngirazi (100m, 200m), Nataly Shoko (400m,400mH), Hayley Chingono (100m, 200m), Martha Chipuriro (800m)
Peter Tanyanyiwa