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Geophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Athletics Board (BAB) chairman Manuel Mpofu has urged athletes to drink lots of water to keep their bodies hydrated ahead of the season opener this weekend.

The first event under BAB this year is the cross country race at Nketa Park in Mpopoma.

Winners will represent Bulawayo in the provincial cross country championships to be held later this month.

On Sunday, all roads will lead to White City Stadium for the first track and field events.

Mpofu warned that the effects of the heat could be deadly for athletes that do not keep themselves adequately hydrated.

“There’s nothing we can do to stop the heat, but athletes should constantly drink water for body hydration.

“We had hoped the rains would fall throughout the week to ease the heat, but it looks like we will hold our events in high temperatures,” said Mpofu.

He said clubs such as Mbizo from Kwekwe, Slal from Harare and the national paralympics team had confirmed participation at this weekend’s events.

“We’re hoping that more teams attend so that competition is stiff.

“We’re also expecting various schools from Bulawayo and possibly other provinces to take part,” said Mpofu.

He said they had prepared well for the competitions in terms of logistics and were only awaiting a response from the Ministry (of Sport and Recreation) to use the AUSC Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games’ athletics equipment.

The asset disposal plan for the AUSC Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games and legacy concept encourages that the equipment used in 2014 be requested from the ministry responsible to ensure accountability.