adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe athletics team left the country yesterday to take part in the Southern African Junior Track and Field Championships to be held in Potchefstroom, South Africa this weekend.National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) director of development and recruitment Lisimati Phakamile said that the team is ready for the competition, as all athletes are battling for a ticket to represent the country in the World Junior Championship set for US next month. “The team will depart today. We can’t complain, everyone is in shape and they did well in the last competition which was held in Harare last weekend. There are no injuries so I am positive we will perform well,” said Phakamile yesterday.
He said they are banking on at least two other athletes qualifying for the World Junior Championships to leave the tally at four. “We are banking on at least two more athletes to qualify, so that we have at least four travelling but the level of competition will determine how the team will perform, but it would be great if we have more qualifying,” he said.
Bhekisisa Tshuma from Matabeleland South is one of the athletes expected to qualify in South Africa after recording 15,2m during the schools’ triple jump competition while the qualifying standard is 15,3m.
Takudzwa Muchichwa who is the junior national record holder in high jump with a record of 2,13 metres has left the team for Germany on scholarship.
Enlita Ncube from Msilahobe Secondary School in Silobela is one of the athletes that have so far qualified for the World Junior Track and Field Championships set for the the US in June.
Zimbabwe Southern African Junior Championships team:
Girls: Chetsanga Tapiwa, (shot putt), Chikanga Bertha (3,000m, 1,500m), Geza Buhle (100, 200m), Mahachi Tsitsi (100, 200m), Moyo Opha (200m), Mzinde Ruvarashe (100, 200m), Mutale Pesi (110 and 400m hurdles), Cathrine Makahaya (triple jump), Mazvita Mtisi (100m H), Mudyavanji Maryjoy (3,000m), Ncube Enlitha (800m, 1,500m), Majoni Vimbiso (long jump), Ndlovu Nomagugu (triple jump), Nkomo Wayne (javelin), Vanhuvaone Yvonne (400m), Dzinotyiwei Chido (100m)
Boys: Songore Michael (100, 200m), Musarurwa Tatenda (100, 200m), Mhiripiri Lloyd (100m), Dlodlo Philimon (200m, 400m), Khumalo Andile (400m), Tembo Tatenda (400m), Chindowa Tatenda (400m), Mutsetse Nyasha (800m, 1,500m), Titus Nyathi (800m,1,500m), Masundire Ngonidzashe (800m), Mutonodzi Tendai (1,500m), Lusinga Pride (110mH, 400mH), Muswazi Anesu (110mH), Makaya Elvis (110mH, 400mH), Zimuto Tendai (5,000m) Tarakinyu Moses (5,000m), Dube Prince (5,000m),Tshuma Bhekisisa (long jump, triple jump), Mada Brian (triple jump), Katuka Prince (high jump), Msamanyada Mathew (high jump), Muchichwa Takudzwa (high jump, 110mH), Nyakuwengana Edwin (discus, shot putt)
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