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Ellina Mhlanga-Senior Sports Reporter 

HEAD coach for junior and youth athletics teams Briad Nhubu says they are expecting to finalise the team to compete at the African Under-18 and Under-20 combined championships after the national meet.

The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Gift Chigwere Junior Track and Field Championships are set for April 8 at White City stadium in Bulawayo and will be the final selection competition for the African championships.  The continental event is due to take place from April 29 to May 3 in Lusaka, Zambia. 

The selection process began at the NASH and NAPH events that were held last week in Marondera and Chinhoyi respectively.

Nhubu, who is also part of the selectors, said they are looking at a team of 40 athletes for the African Championships and so far they have selected 20 youths (Under-18) and 30 juniors (Under-20). 

“It is our hope that we will have about 40 athletes that will go to Zambia. We will have two categories that is youths and juniors. The championships merges these two age-groups.

“The last edition was held in Ivory Coast (in 2019). We had a composition of youths and juniors who represented Zimbabwe, both boys and girls. 

“We had picked 20 youths and 30 juniors on our long list which is tentative. The final travelling team will be determined by selectors after the NAAZ champs,” said Nhubu. 

With some of the athletes having competed in last week’s Nash and Naph competitions, and also vying to make the times for the African championships, Nhubu said they are hopeful of quality competition in Bulawayo.  

“The NASH competition has been very competitive and we are extremely excited that there was stiff competition and very good times were posted. However, we didn’t have electronic time.

“As a federation, we are targeting at least 40 athletes of which we expect to have 20 juniors to qualify. 

“Juniors need to meet CAA qualifying standards and also NAAZ standards. Looking at most athletes’ form, l hope we surpass the target.

“The Bulawayo junior championships will be fireworks as everyone in this category will be fighting for honours. It’s coming at the rightful time when athletes are still in good shape,” said Nhubu. 

The selected athletes are expected to go into camp where the coaches will finalise the travelling team to Zambia. 

With the continental meet in Zambia, the national association has indicated that they would want to send a bigger team.  

“After the junior championships, we hope there will be a camp for prospective athletes to fine tune them for the extravaganza. 

“We also expect all stakeholders and partners to throw their maximum support to enable the federation to provide the requisite resources that are enablers for podium performance.

“It is also our hope that the coaches will dedicate the camp time to prepare the athletes for international level,” said Nhubu. 

The national association welcomed the return of the schools’ national competitions after the Covid-19-induced break, as they are the major providers of grassroots development.