Zimpapers Logo

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe have announced a 29-member team to represent the country at the upcoming African Junior Championships starting later this month in Algeria.The championships will take place from June 29 to July 2 with athletes drawn from across the continent.

The team will be led by director in charge of junior development, Silas Muringani, as head coach and is pleased for the first time they are fielding such a large team at the competition.

“We are going with 29 athletes previously, like last time in Ethiopia, in 2015 we went with nine athletes and there were no girls. So it shows we are progressing well as a country, it’s in line with our Tokyo 2020 vision and these are the athletes we are targeting. It shows we are maturing as an association,” said Muringani.

While they are fielding quite a large group for this meet, Zimbabwe will also be hoping for an improved performance this time around.

In the last edition, Zimbabwe got a silver medal from triple jumper Brian Mada, who is now based in the United States.

And as part of their build-up to the meet in Algeria, some of the athletes such as sprinters Kundai Maguranyanga and Dickson Kapandura participated in the Southern Region Senior Championships held more than a week ago at the National Sports Stadium.

Other medal hopefuls for Zimbabwe are Tinotenda Matiyenga and Panashe Majuru, who were in Ethiopia in 2015 for the same event.

The limelight will also be on rising triple jumper, Chengetayi Mapaya, who set a new national record for the junior man with a jump of 16.01m at the Southern Region Championships as well as 400m runner Vimbai Maisvoreva, who has also qualified for the World Under-18 Championships in Kenya next month.

Most of the athletes are working with their coaches at their respective clubs and schools ahead of their departure on Monday.

And Muringani is optimistic of better fortunes at this year’s meet.

“Over the weekend we had a warm-up event at the National Sports Stadium. Most of the athletes came and they did well, they are in good shape.

“We hope to meet from Friday to Sunday at the National Sports Stadium to just fine tune. Remember they (athletes) are dotted around the country, so they may need to gel especially for the relay teams and also just for team bonding.

“We really wanted to have a camp, but most of these athletes are in school it could have disturbed their lesson attendance. But we have been receiving good reports from coaches on the programmes that we gave them,” said Muringani.

Muringani will be assisted by Mavuto Tumba and Lizzie Ntini while Sebastian Garikai is the team manager.

Championships Team

Mufaro Chikwaira, Gabri Mgbemma, Alice Augustino, Vimbai Maisvoreva, Arage Mutombo, Tadiwa Kanyenda, Nomatter Kapfudzaruva, Dorothy Kavumbura, Yvette Motsi, Rumbidzai Kavanda, Mufaro Mazambani, Ishmael Mandigo, Chengetayi Mapaya, Tinotenda Matiyenga, Panashe Majuru, Tapiwanashe Warara, Kundai Maguranyanga, Dickson Kapandura, Tafadziswa Bhunu, Kelvin Chiku, Mascline Watama, Prosper Jombosi, Hardlife Machira, Donavan Mutariswa, Kudzai Nyachiya, Nicholas Schmolke, Marcus Steele, James Mutenje, Blessing Nyandoro.