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Wirimayi Juwawo

Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
HWANGE-based long distance runner Phathisa Ngwabi is eyeing the ultimate prize at the Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile Challenge to be held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair main arena on Saturday.Ngwabi will be carrying Matabeleland North’s hopes as he is the only representative from the province taking part in the event. Once the home of great runners over the distance, with names like the late Zephaniah Ncube, Thethelani Moyo, Chaka Zihanzu, Pedzisayi Pfakatya and Savieri Nghidi, Ngwabi will want to atone for his predecessors’ failure to land the big prize of running the distance under four minutes.

The Hwange Colliery Athletics Club veteran road runner has declared that he wants the $800 prize money.

“I have been training well so far and I am ready for the competition. This time I want to challenge for the prize and I am positive I will finish strong, at worst I expect to be in the top five,” declared Ngwabi.

He finished 15th last year in the same race.

A total of 24 athletes have so far qualified for the Coca-Cola Four-Minute Mile finals which are set to be among the highlights at the main arena on the closing day of the Trade Fair.

Dailes Bingadadi, the Bulawayo Athletics Board secretary-general, said the stage is set and they expect a every competitive event this year after athletes posted good times in the qualifying rounds.

“We have strong athletes this year.  They clocked good times in the qualifiers, so I believe it’s going to be a tough competition.
“In terms of the event everything is in place and we would like to thank our sponsors Delta for the support,” she said.

Bingadadi said there are female athletes who want to participate in the challenge but the qualifying time might be a stumbling block.

“We hope other sponsors might consider introducing the women’s event because we all know that men and women run different times.  There are some who want to take part in the challenge but beating the qualifying time might be the inhibiting factor,” said Bingadadi.

She said in future they are considering bringing back the semi-finals which in the past were held a day before the finals to trim the large number of athletes to a reasonable field.

Among athletes who qualified are defending champion Simbarashe Chikadaga, Elijah Mabhunu, Wirimai Juwawo, Isaac Mpofu, Bonface Jeki, Wellington Varevi and Nkosiyazi Sibanda.

The sponsors, Delta Beverages, have maintained last year’s package that will see the winner taking home $800 while second and third placed athletes will go home $500 and $400 richer respectively.

For finishing fourth an athlete will pocket $300 while the prize money for fifth place is $250.
The leading beverage manufacturing company has also put aside $200, $175, $150, $100 for sixth to 10th placed athletes.
The top 10 athletes will also get medals with all participants getting T-shirts and Coca-Cola branded bags.

Meanwhile, those who still want to qualify will get their last chance today at Gifford High School.

Below is the final list of athletes:

Wirimai Juwawo (Shabanie Mine), George Majaji (Freda Rebecca Mine), Thando Maphosa, Simbarashe Taderera (all Sparrows), Isaac Mpofu, Trust Chidomaya, Trust Madoro (all ZRP Fairbridge), Bonface Jeki, Levison Mafura, Trust Hove, Simbarashe Chikadaga, Tatenda Hove, Charles Mkanda (all Black Rhinos) Dzingayi Dandara, Jonathan Chinyoka, Nomore Wiriki (all ZPS), Blessmore Chidziva (ZRP), Phathisa Ngwabi (Hwange), Tawanda Matunhu, Wellington Varevi, Nkosiyazi Sibanda (all Blanket Mine), Elijah Mabhunu (Harare Athletics Club), Irvin Rozi (Eiffel Flats) and Kudakwashe Durban.