Junior Athletes Gear Up for National Showdown in B...

Junior Athletes Gear Up for National Showdown in Bulawayo

Patience Muchemwa – Senior Reporter

Excitement is mounting ahead of the National Under-20 Junior Athletics Championship, set for this Saturday at White City Stadium in Bulawayo. The high-stakes event has attracted young talent from across Zimbabwe, as athletes aim to impress selectors and secure places on national teams heading to upcoming continental competitions.

More than 400 athletes have registered for the championship, which features both Under-18 and Under-20 categories. Each of Zimbabwe’s provinces is expected to be represented, making this one of the most competitive junior athletics events in recent years.

The meet will serve as a key selection platform for two major fixtures on the continental athletics calendar — the Southern Region Junior Championships in Namibia and the Africa Junior Championships in Algeria.

Adding prestige and precision to the competition, a team of international electronic timing experts from South Africa has already arrived in the country to manage the official timing system.

This advanced technology does more than measure performance — it plays a vital role in shaping athletes’ futures. According to National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendai Tagara, electronic timing is essential for athletes aspiring to secure scholarships and compete internationally, particularly in sprint and middle-distance events such as the 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m.

“This is critical because there are so many athletes who need electronic timing in order to be considered for scholarships overseas,” Tagara emphasized. “We are expecting a big turnout in these sprint and middle-distance events from juniors all over Zimbabwe.”

Tagara also urged coaches to ensure their athletes are fully registered ahead of the meet by coordinating with the chairperson of the local organizing committee. His call to action underscores the importance of preparation and participation in what promises to be a thrilling showcase of Zimbabwe’s next generation of track and field stars.

With international representation, state-of-the-art timing systems, and a packed roster of aspiring athletes, Saturday’s event is set to ignite the track at White City Stadium.

The stakes are high — and for many young competitors, this could mark the beginning of a promising journey on the global athletics stage.