Ellina Mhlanga — Senior Sports activities Reporter
ATHLETICS coach Mavhuto Tumba believes the staff to symbolize the nation on the Africa Senior Championships has what it takes to ship towards a few of the continent’s high athletes.
The meet will get underway on Friday and runs till subsequent week Thursday in Douala, Cameroon.
The Nationwide Athletics Affiliation of Zimbabwe early final week introduced a seven-member staff with indications there can be additions.
They’re now set to ship 11 athletes to the championships with United States-based Vimbayi Maisvorewa, Tafadzwa Chikomba, Dickson Kamungeremu and Elizabeth Msipa becoming a member of the beforehand introduced staff.
They joined Tapiwanashe Makarawu, Takudzwa Donald Chiyangwa, Ashley Kamangirira, Chengetayi Mapaya, Ngoni Makusha, Gerren Muwishi and Dennis Hove.
NAAZ director of teaching Lisimati Phakamile, who’s answerable for the staff mentioned it is a chance for the athletes to attempt to qualify for the Olympics.
“The staff has added a couple of athletes to enrich the relay (groups) in addition to afford these a chance on the rostrum and in addition match the Olympic qualification customary.
“Tafadzwa is just some centimetres from the required 8.27m, therefore we felt this could be a nice probability to get nearer to that mark,” mentioned Phakamile.
Tumba, who has been working with Hove at Yadah Athletics Membership, mentioned the latter might be making his first look on the African Championships.
“That is his first main competitors. So mainly it is a huge achievement for him. I simply need him to run the race, end the race, there isn’t any stress for him.
“He does not have to put himself underneath stress, it is his first competitors to fulfill the large names from the continent. That might be one thing huge for him.
“I simply need him to compete with these guys and know the best way to run with these guys.”
Nevertheless, Tumba is assured the staff will ship.
“These guys have gotten excessive potential of qualifying for the Olympics as a result of their occasions are very shut, so there isn’t any motive to place them underneath stress. I do know they will do it; they simply have to run their race to not put themselves underneath stress. That’s key.
“I do know as a nation now we have expectations however now we have to ensure the athletes are okay, in order that they will ship. I imagine in them; I do know undoubtedly they will ship . . . Some are additionally hoping to drop their occasions and make it to the Olympics.
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“We hope that these guys will attempt to push themselves to qualify,” mentioned Tumba.
The locally-based athletes — Kamungeremu, Hove, Msipa and Muwishi had been anticipated to go away for Cameroon late yesterday.
They may meet the US-based athletes in Douala in addition to Makusha, who’s coming from France.
NAAZ are hoping to extend their numbers for the Paris 2024 Olympics and in addition produce some podium performances on the African Championships.
Marathon runners Isaac Mpofu and Rutendo Nyahora, in addition to sprinters Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba have up to now earned their tickets to Paris.
On the earlier version of the Africa Championships, the 4x100m relay staff gained a bronze medal.
Group
Males: Tapiwanashe Makarawu (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Takudzwa Donald Chiyangwa (400m, 4X100m, 4X400m), Gerren Muwishi (200m, 400m, 4x400m), Dennis Hove (200m, 400m, 4x400m), Ngoni Makusha (100m, 200m, 4x100m), Chengetayi Mapaya (triple leap), Dicks on Kamungeremu (100m, 4x100m), Tafadzwa Chikomba (lengthy leap).
Girls: Ashley Kamangirira (100m hurdles, 400m hurdles), Elizabeth Msipa (100m, 200m), Vimbayi Maisvorewa (200m, 200m).
