CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMP EXCELS AT REGION V QUALIFIERS

MANZINI – As Athletics Eswatini (AE) concluded its Under-18 qualifiers for the upcoming AUSC Region V Games, the reigning Tinkhundla Talent Search Cross-country champion shined.

Sanelisiwe Mphaphu from the Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) Athletics Club emerged victorious in the pulsating 1.5km race at Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini yesterday during the final African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region V qualifying event.

Mphaphu outpaced Mankayane Athletics Club’s Minenhle Nhlabatsi by a mere fraction of seconds. Nhlabatsi was the winner of the first qualifying event. The two athletes pushed each other throughout the three laps of the Mavuso pitch, with Nhlabatsi initially appearing to be the favourite, before Mphaphu staged a late comeback to cross the finish line first.

“I went home and trained hard after she outclassed me in the other event. I am even happier because I have improved my finishing times,” Mphaphu said. She also expressed her ambition to participate in the Olympic Games. These two ladies also had a tense show on the tracks in the 3 000 metres, where Mphaphu was the winner also.
Mphaphu was the winner of last year’s Cross-country National Championships in the 6km race. She capped off a successful year by winning the Highway Half Marathon 10km race.

It is worth noting that the best performers during these qualifying events stand a chance to be among the 10 athletes expected to represent the country in July at the Region V Championships to be staged in Namibia. AE President Zakhele Dlamini confirmed that they currently have this number of slots, along with two for officials.

Schools

Dlamini further applauded the participating teams and acknowledged the athletes’ commitment, despite the fact that the competing age group is still in school, and private schools have already commenced their academic year.
He further stated that athletes forming the tentative squad yet to be revealed will be involved in preparatory tournaments that will keep them on track, such as participating in competitions beyond the country’s borders.

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