SIBANDA STUMBLES ON RETURN
This past weekend at the national stadium, Sibanda’s supporters and sports stakeholders expected nothing but a stunning Olympic qualifier time but it certainly seems that they will have to wait a little longer to see their young hero deliver at the world stage. Nevertheless, national athletics coach, Justice Dipeba said Sibanda still has a lot to offer given his youth and abundant talent. “Sibanda is far from experiencing a decline in performance. It is only because he has been away from the track for two years.
He took a two year break and this is what is contributing to his performance,” Dipeba said. Furthermore, Dipeba said he might be misplaced to speak on Sibanda as he is not part of the national team at the moment. However, the former national team athlete
said Sibanda took time out of competitions for personal reasons. “As far as we are concerned he is making steady progress and he will soon be back on top.”
Since being discovered as a teen back in 2014, Sibanda went on to conquer the African junior championships, Commonwealth Youth Championships and African Championships, where he achieved silver in Durban (2016). Perhaps his most noteworthy performance was the Rio Olympics where he finished in position five with a stunning 44.25sec. Meanwhile, Dipeba said the national championships have unearthed talent that needs to be nurture.
The coach singled out rising 100m star in Tebogo Letsile (17). There are also other young boys in their 20s who are coming up from local athletics and some have already qualified for world junior championships. The coach further expressed concern over lack of competitions and athletics training personnel.