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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe’s preparations for continental junior championships events got a boost after getting permission to use the recently refurbished White City Stadium for their track and field competitions tomorrow.NAAZ is using tomorrow’s track and field events to select athletes for next month’s African Junior Championships, the African Youth Championships set for April in Mauritius and the Southern Region Championships which will be held in either Mozambique or Namibia in July.

Bulawayo Athletics Board chairman Manuel Mpofu, whose province is playing host to the NAAZ Track and Field competition, was happy that authorities granted them the right to use White City Stadium.

“Everything is set for the national track and field championships and we’re grateful to the local organising committee of the AUSC Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games who gave us the go ahead to use White City Stadium which is a world-class facility.

“The competition is open to all athletes and we hope they’ll come in their numbers because this is where we’ll be selecting teams that will represent the country at continental meets,” said Mpofu.

“Being granted permission to use White City Stadium presents a good opportunity for athletes preparing for international competitions.”
White City Stadium is temporarily closed as government through the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games LOC, is yet to handover the facility which was part of the many that were upgraded ahead of last December’s regional Games.

Schools want to use White City Stadium but can only do so after the handover of the facility to the BCC.

A tartan track, state-of-the-art electronic timing devices, a VIP area and a giant monitor were installed at the stadium which is Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of athletics.

AUSC Region 5 Under-20 LOC chairperson Khonzani Ncube confirmed that NAAZ had been granted permission to use White City Stadium tomorrow and referred questions to Tendai Tagara who is the principal director in the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture.

“They (NAAZ) did apply for use of White City Stadium and we referred their letter to the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture who granted them permission. For more details talk to principal director Tagara who will be working with them to ensure that the equipment is safe,” Ncube said.