THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) expects the biggest turnout of athletes to take part in the Inter-Provincial Athletics Championships to be held at the White City Stadium in Bulawayo tomorrow.
The “Battle of 10 Provinces”, as the competition has been coined, is a platform to select athletes that will represent the country at the Southern Region Senior Championships, set for July 26-27 in Harare.
NAAZ vice-president Siphathisiwe Machaya said this year’s championships are historic in that young promising athletes will take part in the event ahead of the Sadc meet next month.
“It is a national moment. The athletes competing this weekend will play a pivotal role in determining who represents Zimbabwe at the Sadc Region 5 Games in July — a critical step in our continental journey,” she said.
“But what makes this year’s event truly historic is the unprecedented participation of upcoming cadet athletes from every corner of Zimbabwe.
“This is the largest turnout of young, rising stars we’ve ever seen at this level — and it is no coincidence. It is a direct result of our National Five-Year Athletics Development Plan, which is now bearing fruit.”
Machaya said all the country’s 10 provinces ha confirmed their squads and shed was impressed by the ratio of female to male athletes that would be participating.
“I am particularly proud to highlight the gender mix of these games: female participation is thriving, and this year we celebrate a balanced and inclusive field, with over 45% female representation across both track and field events,” she said.
- Nurse aides call for recognition
- All set for NAAZ Junior Championships.
- 60 shortlisted for African Junior Athletics champs
- Zim scoops medals at Junior champs
Keep Reading
“All 10 provinces have confirmed their full squads, and Saturday promises a jam-packed schedule of action across every discipline — from sprints and relays to long-distance races, javelin, high jump, and more.”
Machaya urged citizens from all walks of life to throng White City Stadium cheer the athletes.
“As the excitement builds across the nation ahead of the Battle of the 10 Provinces this Saturday, I call upon all Zimbabweans — young and old — to come out in their numbers and fill White City Stadium in Bulawayo,” she said.
“Let’s fill the stands. Let’s raise our flags. Let’s cheer these athletes who carry the hopes of a nation. White City Stadium is the place to be this Saturday. Be part of Zimbabwe’s sporting history.”
NAAZ director of national competitions Manuel Mpofu said all was in place for the competition, where the electronic timing systems would be in use, with experts on the instrumentation expected in the country today.
“The stadium has been booked and secured. All logistical elements are aligning smoothly,” Mpofu said.
“We are thrilled to announce that the electronic timing system will be operational, with the Timetronics expert jetting into Zimbabwe on 5 June to oversee set-up and calibration.
“Bib numbers are already printed and ready for distribution. We are expecting top-tier athletes from each province to headline their respective teams.
“So far so good — momentum is building, and we expect the 2025 edition of the Battle of the 10 Provinces to be bigger and better.”
