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Curtworth Masango-Sports Reporter

Zimbabwe badminton sensation Thabani Mathe yesterday left the country for Cairo, Egypt to participate in the All Africa Senior Championships.

The games run between tomorrow and Sunday and Mathe is expected to then fly to Uganda for the Uganda International from February 21 to 26 before returning to Zimbabwe.

He will be performing in the men’s singles.

Mathe, who is the eleventh seed in Africa, is looking to put in a good performance as he seeks to qualify for the Olympics.

The Olympics are set for Paris, France from July 26 to August 11.

Mathe said he is looking forward to putting in a good performance that will see him reach the semi-finals to boost his chances of qualifying for the prestigious event.

“I am currently departing to Cairo for the all-African games. I am going to represent the country for the individual category in the man’s single category,” he said.

“I am expecting to reach a commendable stage of the tournament which is the semi-finals. That’s my goal as there will be a lot of competition at the tournament.”

Mathe said he is taking a single step at a time for him to see his dream come true. If he manages to qualify for the Olympics, he will be the first athlete from the SADC region to achieve that.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and I am not going there with very high hopes that are not calculated or that are exuberant. I will just take it one game at a time.

“So my game plan is a single step at each time, try starting on a high note to keep that tempo and reach the very depths of the tournament. But there are very good talents that are there and psychologically I have to put my mind in a state that will build my confidence.

“I came from Iran recently and there was tougher competition as we had individuals who came from Asia, who are next to Europe so the experience will come into play.

“Olympics qualifications are still in line and a lot of tournaments are upcoming. There is a lot of pressure but I know I can deliver,” he said.