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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO province will play host to the 2018 edition of the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) track and field athletics tournament that has tentatively been set for March.

According to a calendar of events released by the Nash national head-in-charge of athletics Phillip Chikomwe, the meet will be held at White City Stadium from March 22-23 and the championship will see the 4X400m mixed relay in all age groups debuting.

“The new mixed relay will have two boys and two girls in all age groups,” said Chikomwe.

He said provincials have been set for March 8-9 while district finals should be held from February 22-23.

“Zonal competitions should be through by February 9,” he said.

Chikomwe said the three age groups will be composed of the 15 years and under, 17 years and under as well as the 20 years and under athletes. Host province Bulawayo will be hoping to take advantage of home support and familiar territory to put up a decent performance compared to last year’s sixth place finish at Lomagundi College in Mashonaland West where they managed nine gold, 11 silver and eight bronze medals. Harare won the 2017 championships after hauling 21 gold, 19 silver and 13 bronze medals.

Masvingo were second with 21 gold, 13 silver and 12 bronze medals, followed by Mashonaland West with 21 gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze medals. Matabeleland South were eighth with eight gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze while Matabeleland North were second from last with four gold, eight silver and six bronze and Midlands came last with three gold, one silver and seven bronze.

The championships will be used to select a squad to represent Zimbabwe at the Confederation of School Sports Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) track and field tournament set to be held later this year. Zimbabwe has been a dominant force in Cossasa tournaments.

@skhumoyo2000