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From Sikhumbuzo Moyo in Hwange
TSHOLOTSHO District were the early pacesetters at this year’s National Association of Secondary Heads (Nash) Matabeleland North inter-district track and field athletics competition held at the Colliery Stadium in Hwange.

What was also heartening during the competition was the impressive times and distances that were clocked by the athletes, with middle and long distance runner Daniel Ncube of Nemane High School in Tsholotsho cruising to gold in the boys’ 20 and Under 10,000 metres race in a time of 32 minutes 50 seconds, just two minutes outside the qualifying standards for the on-going African Junior Championships which started in Ethiopia yesterday.

Ncube is yet to lose a track event since his debut as an Under-15.

With more than half of the first day’s events done, Tsholotsho had amassed a total of 27 medals, 12 gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals while the hosts, Hwange were second with a total of 18 medals made up of 12 gold, a single silver and five bronze medals.

On third place was Lupane coached by former Highlanders striker Abraham Mbaiwa after bagging seven gold, eight silver and 10 bronze medals.

The day’s business started with the girls’ Under-15 3,000 metres event that saw Tinobaka Ncube, representing the hosts coming home in 10 minutes, 26.70 seconds, followed by Lupane’s Loveness Sibanda who clocked 10 minutes, 38.80 seconds.

On third place was Thokozani Ndlovu of Tsholotsho in a time of 10 minutes, 47.70 seconds.

The boys’ version of the race saw Nkayi clinching gold through Khulisani Ndlovu who crossed the finishing line in 9 minutes, 45.60 seconds, followed by Marvelous Dube of Lupane in a time of 10 minutes 02.20 seconds, 04.50 seconds ahead of third placed Trust Ncube of Binga.

Bubi won gold in the girls’ 17 and Under 5,000 metres race through Qhubekani Dube who clocked 15 minutes, 52.00 seconds. On second place was Tebuho Ngwenya, running under the Tsholotsho ticket, who crossed in 16 minutes, 27.30 seconds.

Getting bronze was Lupane’s Priscilla Sibanda in a time of 16 minutes, 50.10 seconds.

“We managed to get at least a medal per event but the unfortunate thing is the quality of our medals, we were mainly getting silver and bronze but I’m sure when it comes to field events, we should be able to cause a few upsets,” said Mbaiwa.

The competition continues and ends today with the announcement of a provincial team to represent the province in the nationals which are set to be held in Chiredzi in Masvingo later this month.

To emphasise their stance on quality instead of quantity, the provincial Nash leadership, who are all present here, said they have since arranged a single bus to carry their athletes to Masvingo.

Binga district did not bring a single athlete for the field events after their athletes recorded poor distances at the zonal meeting.

Medal table as of 2PM yesterday

Gold Silver Bronze

Tsholotsho 12 7 8

Hwange 12 1 5

Lupane 7 8 10

Nkayi 4 8 1

Umguza 4 7 6

Binga 4 6 6

Bubi 3 3 8