Internationals spice up event

MANZINI – The Athletics Eswatini (AE) Track and Field National Championships is an event where champions are crowned.

The cream of the crop in athletics went home smiling with gold medals. The 2022 edition of the championships were held on Saturday at Mavuso Sports Centre. The event that attracted athletes from Mozambique and Lesotho was almost spoiled by rain, but the athletes defied all odds and still competed.

We look at the things noticed and learnt during the event.

POOR DRAINAGE ON TRACK

It was a sorry site as coaches and officials had to quit their scoops of work and try to clear the water from the track at the Mavuso Sports Centre during the championships. The drainage system is damaged and the water becomes stagnant. This all happened in front of the Minister of Sports Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga who was part of the guest. It did not paint a good picture of the country to the visitors from Mozambique and Lesotho and it also dropped the standard of competitions. The issue can be fixed.

TIME MANAGEMENT FLOP IN CHAMPS

It was disappointing to see sponsors leave the arena before the event finished during the Athletics Eswatini (AE) 2022 Track and Field National Championships. The event was billed to start at 9am and end at 4:10pm, but it dragged way after 6pm. AE has something to learn as far as time is concerned as some parents even left before the event ended. Plenty of time was exhausted for the social runs especially the 4X100m as it took a long time to organise.

CHAMPIONSHIPS WELL SUPPORTED

The Athletics Eswatini (AE) 2022

Track and Field National Championships were well attended, as the event attracted sports people from a majority of the sporting codes. Present included Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga, Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) Army Commander Mashikilisana Fakudze, Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) President Adam Bomber Mthethwa, Eswatini Football Association, Under Secretary (US) Lomvula Hlophe, Swimming President Herman

(Pics: Ntokozo Magongo) Athletics Official Micite Thusi (L) and Manzini Athletics Coach (MAC) Muzi Mabuza attempt to clear the water on the track after the rain on Saturday.