Suburban
NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara says they will get their national events underway this month with the Baldmin Triangular Series first leg set for the National Sports Stadium.
Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara says they will get their national events underway this month with the Baldmin Triangular Series first leg set for the National Sports Stadium.
The series usually starts around April but NAAZ are expecting some of their athletes to be part of team Zimbabwe to compete at the African Games in March.
The Games will be staged in Ghana. Tagara believes the national events will go a long way in helping local-based athletes prepare for the continental showpiece. This has seen the national association scheduling the Baldmin Triangular Series first leg for January 27.
“The Baldmin Holdings Triangular Series usually comes around April. But this time around, we were deliberate to say let’s make sure we have the biggest event at the beginning of the year as part of our preparation for the major upcoming events.
“We are expecting all the top runners in Zimbabwe to grace the occasion. We deliberately put the event on the 27th of January to use it as a measure event for preparation for African Games that would take place in Ghana at the beginning of March.
“We are expecting our top runners to showcase their talent as they prepare for other upcoming major events. Most of our local athletes will be trying to post very good performances,” said Tagara.
Some of the provinces such as Harare and Bulawayo have had some provincial competitions also giving athletes a chance to check their readiness for the season. Tagara said they are expecting a huge turnout for the meet and have assigned some of their top officials to be part of the organising committee to make sure the competition is a success and achieve the expected outcomes.
“We are expecting athletes for the track events, middle and long distance, as well as athletes for field events to grace the competition. So we are expecting a huge turnout and preparations are ongoing.
“An organising committee was put in place headed by Harare province, the hosts and highest qualified officials from NAAZ will be there led by Mr Enias Nhoro and Ms Siphathisiwe Machaya, who are internationally recognised technical officials.
“Once again we want to thank Mr (Costar) Takawira of Baldmin Holdings for coming on board. We are happy that Baldmin Holdings has come to join Zimbabwe athletics again this year for this exciting event,” said Tagara.
Harare Athletic Board chairperson Cousinet Simunyu said they have made notable progress in their preparations to host the competition.
“Preparations to host the event are at an advanced stage. We have secured the venue. The committee is working flat out to ensure the event is a success.
“The selection committee will be there to monitor and assess the shortlisted athletes who were selected from previous competitions. It will also pave way for those that have not been selected to showcase their talent.
“But most of them I know they are on the long list because we were using national competitions we had towards the end of last year,” said Simunyu.
