NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) president Tendai Tagara has been impressed by athletes' performance during the Inter-Provincial Championships that were held at White City Stadium on Saturday.
Athletes from across the country's 10 provinces converged at the stadium to showcase their talent.
Tagara expressed satisfaction with the athletes' performances, pointing out some of the outstanding performances he witnessed in the Championships.
"I am happy. In the 10 000m race, the time was encouraging. It was run by one of the athletes who are going to the World Championships. He has won a national championship in the 10 000m race. I saw two good jumpers who are going to the Southern Region Junior Championships. Their performance was good, I can see them qualifying for the World Junior Championships," he said.
In the 10 000m final, Tendai Zimuto from Harare Province won gold, clocking 30 minutes 22.03 seconds, followed by Jack Edward from Matabeleland South, who recorded a time of 30 minutes 59.07 seconds, while Lod Bisma Mathe from Midlands Province won bronze in a time of 31 minutes 00.67 seconds.
Bulawayo Province's Aleck Vhovha won gold in the men's high jump final after jumping a height of 1,97 metres.
The silver medal went to Blessmore Sibanda from Matabeleland North, who jumped a height of 1,94 metres, while the bronze medal was grabbed by Mashonaland Central Province athlete Bensin Mangombe (1,91 metres).
In other categories, Samukeliso Ndebele from Bulawayo Province won gold in the women's 200m final, crossing the line in 24.54 seconds, followed by Praise God Nyamulenga from Mashonaland Central who won silver in 25.54 seconds, with Alisha Chiota from Harare claiming bronze in 25.92 seconds.
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It was a good day for Ndebele, who won another gold medal in the women's 100m final, with a time of 11.70 seconds.
In second spot was Rutendo Vushe, also from Bulawayo province, who crossed the line in 12.20 seconds, while Elizabeth Msipa from Harare province claimed the bronze medal in a time of 12.33 seconds.
Daniel Magogo from Mashonaland West Province won gold in the men's 200m final, clocking 21.16 seconds, followed by Dennis Hove from Harare, who recorded a time of 21.44 seconds, while in third place was Methembe Tshuma from Bulawayo province in a time of 21.87 seconds.
In field events, Wayne Nkomo from Mashonaland Central won gold in the women's shotput final after throwing a distance of 13,44 metres, with Lisa Moyo from Matabeleland North winning silver, throwing a distance of 11,61metres, while Ngokuthula Nyoni from Matabeleland North came third after throwing a distance of 9.56metres.
Tagara was impressed with the overall turnout for the competition.
"I am happy, the meet started on time as we had planned. The turnout was encouraging, and all provinces were able to send teams. The least number of athletes came from a province, which had 30 athletes; most had 50 athletes or more. The turnout was because most of the athletes are looking for slots in the African Union Sports Council Region V Games for Namibia and Algeria Championships, which is why the turnout was very encouraging,” Tagara said.
He commended schools for sending their athletes to the competition.
"The success of the meet is mainly in terms of turnout, as the schools that have made sure that there are athletes here. I want to thank Hwange, mainly because you could see that Matabeleland North has not been performing like they did today. Hwange has taken over and is initiating the coming back of the Chamber of Mines,” Tagara said.
