dyton mupawaenda
Ellina Mhlanga in DOUALA, Cameroon
TEAM Zimbabwe coach Lisimati Phakamile has expressed disappointment over the disorganisation of the ongoing African Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon.
The meet has been marred with disorganisation, delays in the start of events and release of results, among other problems.
The competition is serving as a qualifying event for Paris 2024 Olympics.
The qualification window closes on June 30, which is just a few days away.
“I think our organisation has actually failed to take up this competition as a very big competition in Africa, our final and main tournament for Olympic qualification.
“I think it’s a dismal performance on the side of officiating and result management or should I say data management.
“We have had complaints in all results that have come in, in all events, be it field, be it track. There are always glitches and technical complications.
“This has got a very big and negative impact on our team’s performance considering that we had brought our Olympics hopefuls and they only have seven days left to qualify and the last competition that is there.”
So far Zimbabwe have had sprinter Tapiwanashe Makarawu reaching the 100m finals, long jumper Tafadzwa Chikomba is also in the final and Donald Chiyangwa advancing to the 400m final.
Makarawu placed sixth in the final on Saturday with a time of 10.25seconds.
He had the second fastest time in the semi-finals when winning heat two in 10.06seconds. Chikomba finished sixth in men long jump with a leap of 7.59m.
Chiyangwa was expected to go for the 400m final late yesterday.
“My team was quite sharp and my team was ready to perform and I was very hopeful that we will get athletes impressing or even picking medals and bettering their PBs.
“Unfortunately, all this is slowly but surely getting out of hand.
“But from the chat that I had with my team, they are still focused, they are still dedicated to perform”
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge