Byo Athletics Board set to host track, field champ...

Byo Athletics Board set to host track, field champs at White City

Patience Muchemwa

The Bulawayo Athletics Board is set to host the cadets, youth, junior, and senior track and field championships tomorrow at White City Stadium.

In an interview with Zim Now, some athletes were sharing their views concerning their season opener race.

Brian “Pluto” Masunda who is going to take 200m and 400m in the senior men category is travelling all the way from Masvingo to White City said the race is going to show him where he is standing for the season.

“It means a lot and it helps me to see where I'am and maybe my season opener performance will decide my future times for races to come.”

Stephen Munyengwa of Zvishavane is under the pressure of winning the 400m senior men’s race and he believes he is going to win.

“It is my first race of the season, so I’m very uneasy because I'm under the pressure of winning the race. But one thing I motivate myself with is that I’ve been training for this season since last year, so I think I’m going to make it this season.”

A 400m sprinter from the City of Queens and Kings, Mncedisi Khumalo, said this season opener is going to help him assess his fitness for the season.

“I’m feeling a bit anxious since it’s a season opener. Then on the brighter side, it’s an opportunity to see where we really are in terms of fitness as we’re approaching the beginning of the season.”

Lesily Chibharo of Bulawayo is going for 110m and 400m hurdles said he is not ready for the race tomorrow but he has been training extra hard to impress on his first race of the season.

“I’ve been training. However, I don’t feel super ready, but it’s important for me compete tomorrow so I can keep track of my progress to know which areas I need to improve.

“These races are important to us as athletes because they help us prepare for bigger races like the upcoming All Africa Games. I feel excited about tomorrow.”

The board is inviting athletes to participate at the event with the entry fee pegged at US$2 per event per athlete for cadets, youths and juniors, US$3 per event per athlete for senior and US$5 for relay teams.

The programme will commence at 8.00 am. Events on offer are 100m, 100mh, 110m hurdles, 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, ZITF Cocacola 4-minute mile challenge, long jump, triple jump, javelin, short put and discus.