Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
THE Harare Athletic Board (HAB) is focusing on producing athletes that can qualify for national teams, with events lined up including the African Games, Africa Senior Championships, Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the World Athletics Under-20 Championships.
The HAB held its season opener on Sunday, with the athletes competing in the cadets, youth, juniors and senior categories.
The season opener was held in preparation for the selection event to be held on February 4 to choose the team that will compete in the national cross country on February 24.
HAB vice chairperson Aaron Whyte said they are hoping to produce three or four national champions this year.
“As Harare we are now looking at the bigger picture, how many of our athletes from the province are going to make it into national teams, that’s what we are focusing on.
“And coaches are working flat out to make sure that we have as many athletes who make it into national teams in all age-groups. It’s not like we are just targeting senior men or senior women, but from Under-10.
“So, we are expecting our athletes from NASH, NAPH and then our youths, our juniors and our seniors to do well in all categories. Our main focus is to produce national team athletes this year,” said Whyte.
Whyte said the senior men’s race and Under-16 men’s race on Sunday were entertaining.
“They ran very good times and we are expecting very good times going into our selection event and then the nationals.”
Among the top athletes that attended the cross country was Moses Tarakinyu, who came third and said he is going to take his preparation a gear up ahead of his first marathon next month.
He has previously concentrated on half marathons and 10km races.
“Now I am preparing for the marathon. I am hoping to run Durban International on 28 April if I don’t get a race in Europe.
“It will be my first marathon. I tried to chase times for 10 000m, 5 000m (to qualify for the Olympics) but it’s difficult to get those times here because you need a lot of support.
“But I believe the marathon is much better. Most people can qualify via the marathon. I want to try and qualify for this year’s Olympics. If I fail, then I will try the World Championships.
“I want to run under 60 minutes in the half marathon. My personal best is 61 minutes,” said Tarakinyu.
He is working with Cuthbert Nyasango in his preparations.