By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – There has been change of venue for the Tinkhundla Talent Search Athletics National Championships as they would now be held at Mavuso Sports Centre.
The cross-country national champions will the best athletes from the four regions, Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini and Shiselelweni battling it out for the national honours. Initially, the event was billed for Somhlolo National Stadium, and then Athletics Eswatini announced the change of venue for the event on Tuesday evening.
“We are thrilled to announce that the National Championships for the Tinkhundla Talent Search Cross-Country will now take place at the Mavuso Sports Centre instead of the previously announced venue. The event remains scheduled for Saturday, November 30, 2024, starting at 8:00am,” reads a statement from Athletics Eswatini.
There would be great prizes to be won by the champions during the event. The Tinkhundla Talent Search Competition’s athletics cross-country event now boasts a purse of E450 000 after the Athletics Eswatini increased the package with E100 000 from the E350 000 that was set aside by the Ministry of Sports Culture and Youth Affairs.
The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs launched the Tinkhundla National Talent Search competitions that also featured an Under-20 football tournament, arts and the athletics. A sponsorship of E2 million was announced by the Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima.
The event is set to unleash new talent from all the Tinkhundla Centers of the country and the response have been overwhelming as Emaswati were able to compete in all the different categories in their numbers.
The athletics cross country events started at the regional level and then now at the national stage.
