All set for NAAZ Junior Championships.

THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) Junior Track and Field Championships are set for the White City Stadium in Bulawayo this Saturday.

The competitions will be used to select those who will represent the country at the Africa Junior Championships slated for April 29 to May 3 in Zambia.

Athletes will be drawn from all the country’s provinces and the registration fee is pegged at US$2 per event per athlete with the same amount also for each relay team. Events on the cards include 100m, 200m, 400m, 1 500m, 3 000m, 5 000m, 100m hurdles and 4x100m relay as well as long jump, high jump, triple jump, javelin and discus.

The sponsor, Baldmin Holdings, also offered new incentives for the top female and male athletes in 400m and 1 500m events. The incentives include scholarships for those who meet set qualifying standards, cash prizes and school fees vouchers.

NAAZ chairperson Tendai Tagara said the association expects a huge turnout.

"We expect a huge turnout for the junior championships since most athletes will be trying to run better times to qualify for the Africa Junior Championships. Bearing in mind that in Marondera the arena was a little bit tough and heavy for athletes, we hope that most athletes are likely to be in Bulawayo so that they can improve their qualifying times for the upcoming championships in Zambia,” Tagara said.

“We are expecting quite a number of middle distance runners to run better times there. In Zambia, there will be no 10 000m events so we are also expecting athletes from that event to come and compete in the 5 000m event in Bulawayo.

“The athletes in the field events (high and triple jump) and throwing events (discus and shotput) are still far off in terms of qualification, so we are expecting those who were in Marondera to be in Bulawayo to redeem themselves. We are also urging athletes to register on time since late entries will not be entertained.”

Tagara also thanked the sponsor, Baldmin saying: “As an association we are happy with the confidence the sponsor is showing in how we have managed the track and field championships since last year. All top junior athletes have been craving for such incentives.”