Foreign athletes trickle in for regional cross-country

Zimbabwe’s 18-member athletics team leads the way for foreign participants trickling in today ahead of tomorrow’s 2015 Southern Africa Cross-Country Championship at Njamba Freedom Park, Blantyre.
Under the mentorship of Watson Madenyika, the Zimbabwe squad comprise seasoned runners Gilbert Mutandiro and Olivia Chitate, reported state daily, The Herald newspaper yesterday, adding that they would field six athletes each in senior men and women categories.

“We have experienced athletes, the likes of Munyaradzi Jari who has already qualified for the World Championships. He also won the qualifying event in Kadoma,” Madenyika told the newspaper.
“We have Tendai Zimuto, who has just graduated from the juniors; he won gold at the Regional Five Games 500 metres event. We also have Gilbert Mutandiro, he is an experienced athlete. In the senior women we have Olivia Chitate, Constance, Nyasango, Patience Murove and Caroline Mhandu. It is a strong team also.”
However, Mutandiro felt that he was still recovering after undergoing tough training on the muddy conditions of Kadoma, adding: “We will arrive on Friday and the race is on Saturday, it would have been better if we had travelled today [Wednesday].”
Malawi’s 21-member squad started camp training last week at Sports Council with star runners such as Grevazio Mpani set to win medals.
The Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) stepped in to host the regional athletics showpiece at short notice after the Seychelles withdrew over reported political reasons. Athletes from Lesotho, South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia are also expected.