Published by the government of Zimbabwe
1 January 2009
Harare — TWO Zimbabwean athletes -- Joshua Sabao and Sharon Taengwa -- were last night set to join scores of other runners at the annual Sao Silverstre New Year's Eve Road Race in the Angolan capital, Luanda.
The two athletes left Harare on Tuesday, morning and Sabao was due to compete in the senior men's category for the 10km race while Taengwa would run in the senior women's section.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Joseph Mungwari confirmed the athletes' participation.
"The athletes left for Angola on Tuesday, but there was just a slight problem in that we failed to get confirmation of their registration for the event. But I do not think that it will be much of a problem because they managed to access their sent air tickets at Angolan Airways.
"So I hope that all will work out fine," he said.
The Angolan athletics federation gave Zimbabwe two slots for the competition meant to celebrate the Day of Saint Sylvester that falls on New Year's Eve.
Several Portuguese-speaking countries, including Brazil, Mozambique and Portugal, also host their own versions of the race.
Mungwari said Sabao was recommended to take part in the race as part of efforts by NAAZ to develop the athlete.
"Joshua is still a junior, but locally he has been taking on the seniors in competitions and doing quite well.
"There is a lot of potential in him and we have decided to send him to Angola where he will take on seniors in an international event. This is part of integrating him into higher level competition for the future," said Mungwari.
Taengwa is one of the top female middle distance runners in Zimbabwe and should start the race as one of the outsiders.
A veteran of many international races, Taengwa could finish among the top five while Sabao is tipped to be among the top 15.
Zimbabwean athletes have done very well at the Luanda race where Samukeliso Moyo has dominated for the past six years.
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