UEDF MOST COLOURFUL
Jele, Boxing President Webster Lukhele, Volleyball President Mpendulo Dlamini and AE President Zakhele Dlamini. Others were Eswatini Football Association (EFA) CEO Frederick Mngomezulu, Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) CEO Kenneth Makhanya, ESRIC Zama Tsabedze and Swimming Coach Mlungisi ‘Sluga’ Simelane. Athletes who came to support their colleagues include Royal Leopard Captain Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini, and boxers Thabiso Dlamini and Zweli Dlamini.
MORE FIELD EVENTS COMPETITION
The Athletics Eswatini (AE) and the clubs need to work on the field events competition. It was disappointing to see the field event not competitive as compared to the track events. Commonwealth Games bound athletes Erikah Seyama had no challenge in the high jump, and only three women athletes competed in the shot put and discus. There is room for improvement in some of the event including the javelin, shot put, discus, triple, long and high jump. Thumbs up in introducing events including the hurdles
INTERNATIONALS SPICE UP EVENT
The presence of athletes from Mozambique and Lesotho gave competitions to the championships. Well done to the locals as they dominated the visitors and they gave tough competitions. Hail goes to Bongiwe Mahlalela who was in a competitive event but she defended her title in the 100m and 200m. Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa cruised to victories with ease in both the 100m and the 200m; he had been the champion of these events for the past 12 years. Other senior athletes who gave it all were Mcebo Mkhaliphi, Banele Dlamini, Menzokuhle Msibi, Andile Lusenga and Bakhona Sibandze among others.
The Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force (UEDF) Athletics Club was well dressed for the event with their athletes in one colour. It was good to see the club President who is the UEDF Army commander Mashikilisana Fakudze present to support the athletes. UEDF Club has been dominant on road races but they had since taken the track events by storm.