NAAZ weighs US-based and local athletes in relay qualification push

The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe) says it faces major logistical and financial challenges in assembling Zimbabwean athletes based in the United States for international relay competitions, prompting a renewed focus on locally based sprinters.

Officials say the geographical spread of US-based athletes across different states makes coordination difficult, forcing the athletics body to reconsider its relay selection strategy.

As a result, greater emphasis is now being placed on developing home-based athletes for the 4x100m relay, while efforts to include US-based runners remain ongoing.

NAAZ has indicated that assembling a US-based relay squad would require an estimated US$20 000 to cover travel and competition costs for qualifying events. The programme is expected to be coordinated by former 200m national record holder Brian Dzingai.

Despite the challenges, the association says it is not abandoning plans to involve diaspora athletes, many of whom are capable of running competitive sprint times under 10.5 seconds in the 100m.

However, concerns have been raised over availability issues, with some athletes bound by university scholarship commitments in the United States, which can clash with international competitions and national team call-ups.

Officials also noted that travel restrictions and academic obligations have made it difficult for some athletes to return home for major championships, including the African Senior Championships.

At recent competitions, Zimbabwe had nearly two dozen qualified athletes, most of them based abroad, but only a small number were able to compete due to logistical constraints.

Among those who featured were hurdler Ashley Miller and sprinters such as Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba, although participation in relay events was inconsistent due to withdrawals and availability issues.

While the 4x100m relay programme faces uncertainty, Zimbabwe's locally based 4x400m relay team has delivered strong results, winning gold at the African Senior Championships in Ghana.

The quartet also set a new national record of 2:59.01 and secured qualification for the World Relays held in Botswana, where they finished fifth in under three minutes, earning a place at the World Championships in Beijing next year.

National coach Phakamile Lisimati said selection for relay teams will be based on consistent performance rather than isolated results.

"We are not after a one-night show. An athlete must have run a specific standard consistently," he said.

Local athletes are now expected to play a central role in the 4x100m relay build-up, with sprinter Ngoni Makusha tipped to lead a youthful squad as Zimbabwe continues its push for qualification on the global stage.