adminTHE Zimbabwe junior athletics team will be hoping for a change of fortunes at the 12th Africa Junior Athletics Championship in Ethiopia.
Twelve talented local athletes will compete against their age group fellows from across the continent from March 5-8 in Addis Ababa.
The country will be seeking to improve on the sole bronze medal they won at the last meeting in Mauritius two years ago. The team is expected to depart on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe endured a tough outing at the previous edition of this biennial competition, only bringing home a bronze medal won in high jump by national record holder Takudzwa Muchichwa (2,12 metres)
However, in Enlitha Ncube, Maryjoy Mudyaravanji, Titus Nyati, Shawn Banda, Brian Mada, Nyasha Mutsetse, Hlanguyo Shingirayi, Lovejoy Mapfumo, Munyawarara Tafadzwa, Tinotenda Matiyenga, Panashe Majuru and McMillan Ncube, the country has what looks like a strong team.
Some of the athletes have had international exposure with the likes of Ncube, Mudyaravanji, Mutsetse and Nyati having participated at the Youth Olympics and Youth Championships.
The team has had decent preparations too, with the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe arranging weekly competitions that alternated between Harare and Bulawayo.
Team coach Silas Muringani believes his athletes will put up impressive performances.
“Obviously we want to win something for the nation,” he said.
“The last time in Mauritius we managed a bronze medal and as a progressive sport we have to go out and get something better.
“We have a mixture of experienced and inexperienced athletes and that makes it imperative that we don’t put pressure on the novices,” he said.
“We have no injury worries (but) I am concerned with their preparedness as most of them are coming from the off season and have not yet reached their peak performances.
“The only thing a coach can do at this level is psyche up the athletes and make them believe in themselves.”
Online Reporter