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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE University of Zimbabwe will this weekend host their annual track and field championships with primary and secondary schools expected to participate at this year’s edition.

The championships usually cater for tertiary institutions but this time around they will see schools taking part in the various events on offer.

The championships are organised by the UZ in liaison with the Harare Athletics Board.

Participants will fight for honours in the Under-14 age group, which is catering for primary schools, Under-16, Under-18, Under-20 and the open category.

The meet is slated for Sunday and UZ sports director, Life Chemhere said they will be featuring schools for the first time.

“This is an open invitation event whereby we are expecting Primary and secondary schools, teachers’ colleges, polytechnic colleges, universities and top clubs. We are expecting top notch athletes.

“We have had this event previously where we were focusing on tertiary institutions but this time around we want to open it to our primary and secondary schools.

“The reason is because I think for those that are interested in athletics, this is a platform to measure their performance and take a cue to say we are lacking on this. We strongly feel that we have a strong base but at the top clubs and tertiary institutions we really need to look at it and say are we doing it right, where we are missing the link to cascade those athletes into professional athletes.

“As a nation we think our hope is pinned on athletics,” said Chemhere.