Suleiman Nyambui

The national athletics championship will be held in dare s Salaam on Friday, the Athletics Tanzania (AT) secretary general, Suleiman Nyambui, confirmed yesterday.

He said a decision has been reached by AT’s executive committee to stage the championship at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Most of regional athletics bodies have confirmed to compete on the said date as athletes gear up for the showdown.

The AT is through with the preparations for the event, so says Nyambui.

“Most of the top athletes have confirmed to turn up for the championship,” said Nyambui.

Nyambui says AT is very happy to host the championship, a relief arising following its failure to stage the cross county event due to shortage of funds.

The AT boss has drawn optimism on a possible successful championship that would be staged three months ahead of the Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi.

The Games in New Delhi would count as a strong catalyst for athletes to exhibit their prowess with anticipation of winning selection for the event.

“This years’ event will be good as all athletics earmarked for the commonwealth games will face each other,” Nyambui said.

Nyambui has made a call to all under-20 athletes who flopped during last week’s East African championship to turn up as well.

He said participating in the national event would help them to build confidence and gain experience as well.

He also hinted on the ongoing UMISETA games that plenty remains to be done in terms of uplifting experience and techniques of the athletes.

After brief observations, AT technical directorate has come into conclusion that most of the athletes lack basis to excel despite having capacity and tenacity to run.

AT expects to form a team of athletes at the end of the UMISETA games.