The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
UPCOMING athletes get an opportunity to land scholarships in the United States today when the Bulawayo Athletics Board hosts trials in conjunction with Payne Global Sports Management at Nust Grounds.
This will be the second year running the sports management company will be facilitating for scholarships following last year’s event that saw triple jumper and footballer, Chengetai Mapaya getting a scholarship to Texas Christian University in the United States.
Payne Global agent, Lovemore Dube confirmed he will be in the city together with United States-based Arnold Payne for the trials on 18 March.
In communiqué, BAB secretary general Rebecca Ncube said invited athletes range from under-12 to seniors.
She said athletes are going to compete in track events that include 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 4x100m, 4x400m, medley, mixed relay and 4 minute mile qualifiers.
Field events to be held on the day include long jump, triple jump, shot put, javelin and discuss.
Only athletes aged 20 and below will be eligible for scholarships.
Arnold Payne, who was expected in the country yesterday from his United States base, is a former Zimbabwe 400m record holder, who also represented the country at the All-Africa Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships, heads the Payne Global Sports division which seeks to provide a platform for promising athletes to advance their talent and academics in the United States In 2016 Payne brought Texas Christian University-based top track and field coach Darry Anderson, who conducted several coaching clinics in the city.
Anderson has coached numerous athletes at the Olympics, World Championships, national championships, Commonwealth Games, World Student Games and numerous other high profile outings.
Five upcoming footballers last year got USA Soccer Scholarships after impressing renowned US football development coach David Casper during trials held at Milton High School.
The soccer scholarships were being funded to the tune of $200 000.
Meanwhile the BAB Track and Field Meet will also incorporate the 4 Minute Mile Challenge qualifiers.
BAB chairman, Manuel Mpofu said it will be a full day’s menu with track and field events starting at 9am and the 4 minute mile trials.
Mpofu said they have held two qualifiers so far for the 4 minute mile that saw Dumo Mkhwananzi of Sparrows, City Meats’ Xolani Nkiwane and Denford Mlilo of Sparrows book their places in the final scheduled for the ZITF Main Arena at the end of April.
The 4 minute mile has a prerequisite time of four minutes 31 seconds for one to qualify for the finals.
