BAB on 2013 season

Sport
THE Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) is happy with how the 2013 season progressed despite facing a number of challenges along the way.

THE Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB) is happy with how the 2013 season progressed despite facing a number of challenges along the way.

SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER

Several competitions were held in the city throughout the year with the Choppies 10km race that was held on December 8 round-off the season.

BAB secretary Dailes Bingadadi yesterday told Southern Eye Sport her views on the just-ended 2013 season.

“Our major achievement was that we managed to hold most of the events we had lined up for this year. We started off the season with the Four-Minute Mile Challenge, track and field events and we hosted the Zimbabwe National Youth Games successfully. We also had the Matopos 33-Miler ultra-marathon back, the Choppies 10km race, Old Mutual 10km race, and a new event in the calendar the Masiyephambili marathon.

“Out of all the competitions only the Hope Fountain 30km race was cancelled. We are happy that our competitions attracted many athletes from around the country,” she said.

An International Association of Athletics Federation Level One Technical Official Education Certification System (Toecs) Course was also held in just before the Youth Games.

“One of our achievements was that we were also able to hold the Toecs course,” she said.

The international course meant to upgrade officials skills, featured coaches from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Masvingo provinces.

Bingadadi said the major challenge they faced was postponement of events.

“The main problem we faced was postponement of races which is not good for athletes. Some of the dates were changed and that is not good as athletes need to prepare for the races and also get time to rest in between races.

“We also noticed that we need to work very closely with schools in athletics. It is very important for schools to have qualified athletics coaches. We also need to tap talent from grassroots level,” she said.

Bingadadi said they were hoping to retain all the competitions and to attract more athletes in their competitions next year.