Bindura University of Science Education’s (BUSE) commitment to preparing its National Sports Academy (NSA) athletes for international competitions was on show when it sent a strong team to participate in the Harare Athletics Board Invitational Tournament which was held at the National Sports Stadium recently.
BUSE spend 25 NSA athletes, ranging from under 13 to seniors for the competition and the team took full advantage of the opportunity.
With 2023 All Africa Games; World Junior and Senior Championships and the World University Games around the corner, BUSE continues to avail its NSA athletes to both local and international completions.
Some of the athletes, returning from their off-season break, showed a lack of fitness in their events. One such athlete was Lynette Zembe who has already qualified for the 2023 All Africa Games.
Since her exploits in Malawi in December 2022, Lynette has not participated in any completion. She clearly lacked fitness as she came third in the 100m and 200m races. Despite the rust, her potential was there to see as she still demonstrated great determination and an eagerness to build her fitness levels.
By contrast, David Nyamufarira, who also competed in Malawi, showed very little rush. He easily won the 100m under 20 race.
According to their coach Cuthbert Nyasango, the difference between the two was consistency in training and competition.
“After the Malawi games, Lynette went to Mutare. David is based in Bindura and therefore I had easy access to him and could follow up on his training regimen. This is why he has greater match fitness and Lynette is starting to build it,” remarked Nyasango.
Most of the athletes used this tournament to build themselves for more intense competitions which have a bearing on qualification.
NSA athlete James Mtenje hopes to better his personal best of 76m meters in the javelin event. He threw an impressive 60.88 meters. Given that he hasn’t been competing since November 2022, James can only get better.
Busani Ndlovu, who is set to represent BUSE at the World University Games in China, competed in the men’s 800m. He came second.
“I choose the 800 meters race so that I could check my endurance levels. I am happy with the result since I specialise in 400m and 400m hurdles,” said Busani after the race.
Other notable performances were from Lisa Mtetwa, Gertrude Marima, Prosper ‘Pogba’ Bonfacio, Dorothy Kavhumbura and Mitchell Mandipaka.
Mitchell threw 9.08m in the women’s shot put. Wayne Nkomo missed the competition as she was trying out for the national korfball team.
James Mtenje hopes to qualify for the All Africa Games in Ghana.
Busani Ndlovu leading the pack
Lynette Zembe (L) found the going tough
David Nyamufarira easily won his 100m race