Athletics Eswatini has introduced a new Team Eswatini Cross Country Committee to focus on preparing the country's athletes for the 2027 African Cross Country Championships. The committee was announced by Athletics Eswatini (AE) President Zakhele Dlamini during the launch at the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA) headquarters. Eswatini will host the seventh African Cross Country Championships in March 2027.
The committee's mandate is to focus solely on Team Eswatini and ensure the country is properly prepared to compete. The committee will coordinate the national team programme, lead resource mobilisation and sponsorship drives, oversee athlete preparation, and ensure Eswatini fields a competitive team. Dlamini stressed that the committee would operate separately from the Local Organising Committee, which handles logistics and hosting.
The first national trials for the championships are scheduled for October 31 at Mavuso and November 28 at Methula Inkhundla in the Shiselweni Region. These trials will form part of a transparent selection process to identify the country's strongest athletes. Dlamini called on the private sector and athletics stakeholders to support Team Eswatini, urging them to help build a team capable of making the country proud.
Head Coach Eward Ndlangamandla described the championships as a rare opportunity for local athletes to compete against leading distance-running nations. He encouraged schools and stakeholders to assist in developing the team. Ndlangamandla noted that Uganda, Ethiopia, and Kenya are expected to provide strong competition.
Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC) CEO Darius Dlomo stated that the government is fully behind the championships but expects high standards in preparations and hosting. He urged the newly appointed committee and coaching team to ensure Eswatini is properly prepared.
The Team Eswatini Cross Country Committee members have been announced, including Tinavu Mushavu as chairperson, Thulani Sibeko and Nothando Mhlanga as members, and Athletics Eswatini Secretariat as the secretariat. Eward Ndlangamandla is the head coach, with Hamilton Mhlanga as assistant coach.
The 2027 African Cross Country Championships will mark the first time Eswatini has hosted the continental event. With the new committee in place, the country aims to make a strong impression not only as hosts but also as competitors.
Key points
- Eswatini launches a new task team to prepare athletes for the 2027 African Cross Country Championships.
- The task team will focus on preparing Eswatini's athletes for competition.
- National trials are scheduled for October 31 and November 28 to select the country's strongest athletes.
