Harare Set for Southern Region Athletics Showdown

Patience Muchemwa- Senior Reporter

In a season already brimming with anticipation, all eyes are now fixed on Harare as the city prepares to host one of the continent’s most electrifying athletic events: the 2025 Southern Region Senior Athletics Championships.

From July 26 to 27, Zimbabwe's capital will transform into a coliseum of speed, strength, and spirit, as nations converge at the University of Zimbabwe Grounds for what promises to be a record-shattering spectacle of athletic brilliance.

The official program was recently unveiled by Manuel Mpofu, Zimbabwe’s National Director of Competitions, sparking a surge of excitement across Southern Africa.

“The program reflects not only competitive excellence but also our commitment to delivering a world-class event,” he declared, emphasizing Zimbabwe’s preparedness and determination to stage a championship worthy of continental admiration.

More than 70 events are lined up over the two days, blending high-octane sprints, technical field showdowns, and strategic relay battles. For Zimbabwe, this championship is a golden opportunity—not just to host but to shine.

Leading the national charge is Head Coach Lisimati Phakamile, a respected and tactical mind in Zimbabwean athletics whose leadership has shaped the country’s top competitors into serious medal threats.

The level of competition will be fierce, with nine nations officially confirmed to participate: Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Angola, Seychelles, Lesotho, Eswatini, and host country Zimbabwe. These regional powerhouses bring depth, speed, and national pride, guaranteeing that every race will be a contest of grit and glory.

For many athletes, the event doubles as a qualifier for the African Championships and other global meets, intensifying the pressure and raising the stakes.

The action kicks off on Saturday, July 26, with early sprint heats leading to the fireworks of the 100m finals by 13:00 hours—an event expected to light up the stadium with roars of support and regional rivalry.

Technical events such as the 1500m and the 4x400m Mixed Relay will follow, before the men’s 5000m caps off a jam-packed Day One. With 37 events scheduled, Saturday alone promises drama, triumph, and celebration.

Sunday, July 27, starts with the 100m hurdles at 08:00am, followed by high-impact technical field events like high jump, triple jump, and javelin. The morning session will climax with the 10,000m final, an endurance test blending strategy with sheer willpower.

Later, the crowd will be treated to relay drama with the 4x100m and 4x400m finals for both men and women. The day—and the championships—will conclude with the official closing ceremony and final medal presentations.

Yet, these Championships go beyond the medals. They are a platform for talent identification, a benchmark for federations, a tool for economic and tourism stimulation, and a symbol of unity in sport.

As the host, Zimbabwe is also using this moment to rebuild post-pandemic confidence, invigorate youth participation, and invest in sports infrastructure with long-term benefits.

“This is more than sport,” said Mpofu. “It’s a continental celebration of African excellence.”

Echoing that sentiment, Zimbabwean athlete Advocate Ndlovu emphasized the emotional significance of competing on home soil: “We are working very hard to try and make sure that we are ready and prepared for the competition. This one means so much because we will be in front of a home crowd, so we need to do our best to represent the nation.”

And with every stride taken, every baton passed, and every flag raised, the spirit of the region will shine through.