INJURED PHUMLILE OUT OF OLYMPICS

MBABANE - It has come to light why Phumlile Ndzinisa was not included in the eight-member delegation bound for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The travelling team includes four officials and four athletes but the experienced Ndzinisa is not on the list. Instead, the travelling athletes are sprinter Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa, boxer Thabiso Dlamini and two swimmers in Simanga Dlamini and Robyn Young. Ndzinisa, according to a report which was presented to the Eswatini Olympics and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) by Athletics Eswatini (AE), she sustained an injury and her rankings were outside the 1 000 rank. According to the performance report by the AE Chief Operations Officer (COO), Thoba Mazibuko, she is ranked 1 011 in the world under the 100 metres category.

She is ranked 1 242 under the 200 metres category. The report also says that Ndzinisa reported pains on the quadriceps on May 15, 2021 which resulted to a poor performance in the National Championships that were held on May 22 in Manzini. Reached for comment, she admitted that it was not a good year for her altogether. “In all my competitions I did not do well due to poor preparations. I do not blame anyone for this but myself and also the injury made things worse. I am not bitter about being left out but I feel Sibusiso deserves to represent the country because he is doing well,” said Ndzinisa while adding that she was slowly recovering from her injury.

Rankings

In Mazibuko’s report, it states that Matsenjwa ‘Swazi Bolt’ is currently the leading athlete as per local and international rankings. He is ranked 372 in the world under the 100 metres and ranked 101 in 200m category. Mazibuko said the qualification ranking was the top 54 and only Matsenjwa came close to qualifying mark. He said Eswatini qualified due to the universality slot and only one best athlete was required under the athletics’ category. Meanwhile, Matsenjwa thanked all the stakeholders who contributed to his qualifying in the Olympics delegation. “I want to thank the Commissioner General, William Dlamini, the Athletics Eswatini, EOCGA and all those who helped me to be where I am. I promise to represent the country well in the Olympics,” Matsenjwa said. Eswatini Boxing Association (EBA) secretary Thabsile Mngometulu said only the top three African boxers under the 69kg qualified, while, Thabiso qualified due to the wild card as he is ranked number seven in Africa and 20th in the world.

Swimmers

Meanwhile, Eswatini Swimming Association (ESA) Vice-President and national team coach Welcome Nhlabatsi said FINA requested that they provide the best female and male swimmers. “Simanga is ranked number one in the male category while Young is also leading in the female category. This is why we selected them because they were currently on top,” he explained. Chef De Mission Pearl Dlamini will lead the delegation and will travel with three national team coaches in Fanana Dlamini (boxing), Nhlabatsi (Swimming) and Athletics’ Muzi Mabuza.

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