Zimpapers Logo

Sikhumbuzo Moyo at Manjolo Secondary School, Binga

ITS all systems go at the Matabeleland North National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) two day inter district track and field athletics competition that roars into life at Manjolo Secondary School in Binga today.
All the seven districts, hosts Binga, Hwange, Tsholotsho, Nkayi, Umguza, Lupane and defending champions Bubi arrived yesterday and immediately went through the vetting process that was conducted by district heads in charge of athletics, led by the provincial head in charge, Abraham Netha.
After the vetting process, teams had a feel of the cinder track, with some of the teams, particularly Hwange and Tsholotsho, taking time to break into self motivational songs while some like Nkayi moved around the track under the guidance of their coaches.

Cinder tracks are known for their slow times and are not ideal for track athletes seeking to qualify for major international events.
Bubi head in charge of athletics, Kizito Mlotshwa, oozing with confidence, said they were in Binga to defend their title.
“We are here with one aim and nothing else, to defend our title. We remain confident of achieving that as we have also largely kept a large proportion of our team that brought us gold last year,” said Mlotshwa.
The meet will be used to select a provincial team that will represent the province at the national finals set for Chipadze High School in Bindura, Mashonaland Central province next month.

Provincial athletics head in charge, Netha said the province will only take podium athletes to represent the province in national track and field athletics competitions.
“The only way we can do well as a province is for us to consider quality over quantity. We want to take podium athletes only. It doesn’t matter whether one gets gold, as long as we feel the standard will be below what is expected at national level, we will not take that athlete to Bindura,” said Netha.
Bubi district are the defending champions after amassing 24 gold, 21 silver and 14 bronze medals and were followed by Lupane who managed 22 gold, 19 silver and bronze medals respectively.
Hwange were third with 17 gold and silver medals as well as 18 bronze respectively.
Umguza had the same number of gold medals but came short on silver after getting 15 while managing nine bronze medals.
Nkayi and Tsholotsho came fifth and sixth respectively while hosting district this year, Binga was last.
Meanwhile, host province Mashonaland Central province is leaving no stone unturned as they prepare to welcome nine provinces for the national finals from April 1-4.
Speaking to New Ziana, Mashonaland Central schools sports inspector, Tinashe Mushore said preparations are 90 percent complete.
The ablution block is almost finished with only roofing and piping left to be done. A 500-capacity terrace has been built with final compaction work completed. The terrace will be reserved for guests, while others will be accommodated in tents.
The host schools will occupy the open spaces. To address water supply concerns, solarisation has been implemented to power boreholes, ensuring a 24-hour supply.