Correctional dominate AE Track and Field

MBABANE – Correctional Athletics Club athletes proved elusive on the synthetic track during the Athletics Eswatini (AE) Track and Field event at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday.

Yesterday’s Track and Field was the first to be staged after the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight regular clubs and individual athletes took to the Mavuso synthetic track under the heavy rains yesterday morning. High spirited Correctional Services athletes rose to the occasion by winning most of the categories. The longest run on the day, which was the 5 000 metres was won by Correctional’s Mcolisi Ndlela. Ndlela took 15 minutes to complete the round where he had Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force’s (UEDF) Sikhumbuzo Sihlongonyane breathing heavily down his neck.

Success

After completing the race, Ndlela said it was an easy race, attributing his success to his high training ethics.

“It’s hard work and consistence in training every day that made me conquer. I train in the morning and afternoon daily with high set goals. I want to conquer locally and even compete beyond the country’s borders. Having enough time to train, I had made it easy for me to cruise through,” Ndlela said.

Some other races that were won by the Correctional team included the ladies’ 3 000 metres which was won by Simphiwe Dlamini after pacing for 12 minutes. They also completed a double in the 1 500 metres, where Mthobisi Ndwandwe completed it in four minutes 25 seconds. He was closely challenged by Slojos’ Phila Khumalo, who came a second late.

Meanwhile , in the ladies, Correctional’s Siphesihle Ngwenya came first. She was followed by Slojos athlete Nokuphiwa Zwane. Correctional also completed a double in the 400 metres.

Manzini Athletics won this through Sambulo Xaba who took 21.73 seconds to cross the finish line. He was followed by Royal Eswatini Police Service’s (REPS) Mlandvo Maziya in 21. 98 seconds. Some of the categories

were won by Waterford Athletics Club, Great Usuthu and Slojos main in the relay. Noteworthy is that some renowned athletes such as Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa and Bongiwe Mahlalela, to mention a few, were part of the first Track and Field.

(Pic Nimrod Hlophe) (L) Correctional Athletics Club Mthobisi Ndwandwe tries to to regain his breath immediately after crossing the 1 500m finish line yesterday at the Mavuso Sport Centre. (R) Slojos Nokuphiwa Zwane all smiles after she came second in the 1 500m race.