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Allen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
FIVE-hundred athletes are set to compete in the final leg of the National Association of Athletics Zimbabwe (Naaz) JM Busha Open Track and Field Triangular Series at the National Sports Stadium today.

The event, which is being sponsored by JM Busha 54 Races to the tune of R350 000, will see the country’s top runners competing in over 26 individual track and field events.

Naaz president Tendai Tagara said everything was set for the competition.

“All is set for the event and I can say we have received a good response from the clubs, with 500 athletes set to compete. This is the first competition of its kind in the country and we are looking forward to having more of these triangular series events in future,” Tagara said.

He also said plans to start the competition from provincial level were in the pipeline.

“We hope the next competition will attract more athletes compared to this year’s number. The association is also planning on making the event start from provincial level so that we create a system that complements the National Association of Primary Heads (Naph) and National Association of Secondary Heads (Nash),” said Tagara.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo has sent 30 athletes for today’s inaugural event. Some of the athletes the province will be counting on are Nigel Tom, Willard Mutasa, Trust Chidomaya, Sukoluhle Mlala, Annie Chirisa and Faith Dube.

JM Busha 54 Races is a non-profit organisation involved in social investment programmes aimed at promoting sport, education, peace and unity among other things.

@khumzallen