Times Of Swaziland: UEDF TEAM TO WATCH

UEDF TEAM TO WATCH
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Ntokozo Magongo on 16/06/2022 08:19:00


MBABANE – The dominant Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) athletes will be
in the spotlight during the KwaMagogo Legacy 21km, 10km Walk/ Run on Saturday in
Manzini.
They had been dominant in the past two half marathons that have been held in the
country so far. These are #ResolutionRun held at Mlilwane Sanctuary on February
15 and the Athletics Eswatini (AE) half marathon held in Lobamba on March 26.
Both the races were won by UEDF athlete Nkululeko Gama. His best time was in the
AE half marathon where he finished on 1:14:13 hours. In the #ResolutionRun he
clocked 1:17:40 hours after having started the race five minutes late. Gama
seems to be unstoppable and he will be gunning for a hat trick of wins on
Saturday.
“I can be happy to win a third race in a row but I will be competing in the
10km due to some personal reasons. I have worked hard in preparation for the
race and we will see. Another challenging factor is that the route is new and
KwaMagogo is known with for 10km,” he said. Some of the athletes to watch in
the 21km include Sipho Mndzebele, Melusi Innocent Lukhele, Zweli Ncongwane,
Sibongiseni Mngometulu and Mncedisi Nkwanyane, among others.
It is yet to be seen if there will be a challenge for Royal Eswatini Police
Service (REPS) shining runner Samkelisiwe Thwala, who also won both the half
marathons held in the 2022 calendar year. While there are professionals who will
be competing for honours, the races are set to be dominated by social runners.
Other clubs that are set to bring a huge number of athletes in the race include
the UEDF, REPS, Swazi Slojos, TZD, GFC (Hosts), Zithande, Woodlanders,
Nhlangano, Ngculwini and Manzini Striders to mention a few.