Athletics

Six-strong Athlete Refugee Team named for WCH Tokyo 25

Olympians Farida Abaroge, Perina Lokure Nakang and Musa Suliman are among the six athletes named on the Athlete Refugee Team (ART) that will represent millions of refugees at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25.

Published

4 months ago

August 7, 2025

sportbriefzw

This comes at a time when significant cuts in international aid to this marginalised population have drastically affected areas such as food distribution, education, child protection and health programmes. The Refugee Athlete Scholarship programme, under the Olympic Refugee Foundation in close collaboration with World Athletics and its member federations, is a pathway for refugee athletes to find a purpose in life as well as hope for them and their families through athletics.

Abaroge, Nakang and Suliman all represented the Refugee Olympic Team at the 2024 Games in Paris, while Nakang also competed at the last edition of the World Athletics Championships, in Budapest in 2023.

Abaroge, who joined the ART in 2023, has been selected for the 5000m. The 31-year-old fled her native Ethiopia in 2016, travelling through Sudan, Egypt and Libya before she was found by a French human rights group. She started running after being granted refugee status in France and in 2024 she competed at the World Cross Country Championships and the European Cross Country Championships as well as the Olympic Games, where she contested the 1500m.

Nakang’s running talent was discovered when she formed part of the World Athletics U20 refugee team pilot in 2022. The 22-year-old, who is based in Kenya, was selected for the World Cross Country Championships and the World Championships the following year. She clocked an 800m PB of 2:08.20 at the Paris Olympics but missed six months of elite training during which she went through some personal challenges, witnessed water shortages, experienced riots and tough weather conditions, and suffered from malaria and typhoid. Like Abaroge, she was awarded an Olympic Refugee Foundation Refugee Athlete Scholarship for the second time in 2025 and has returned to training.

Her fellow 800m runner Suliman is based in Switzerland and, at 21, is the youngest member of the ART in Tokyo. Suliman fled Sudan with his family in 2015 and lived in Egypt for several years before being resettled in Switzerland in 2021 through a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) programme. He took up running in 2022 and overcame a knee injury to compete at the Olympics. He has received a Refugee Athlete Scholarship this year and will make his World Championships debut in Tokyo.

This trio will be joined by marathon runners Omar Hassan and Emmanuel Kiruhura Ntagunga plus 5000m specialist Jamal Abdelmaji Eisa Mohammed in Japan, where they will compete in the home country of their team sponsor, Asics.

Like Nakang, Hassan raced at the World Championships in Budapest in 2023 and finished 40th in the marathon. The following year was difficult, both physically and mentally, as his mother – his mentor and the most special person in his life – died and Hassan became responsible for his six younger siblings. The 34-year-old, who is based in Denmark, has since returned to running and is now studying automation technology.

Ntagunga fled the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2013 and settled in Kenya, where he began running with local athletes. The father of four began a new life with his family in Norway in 2023 through an initiative facilitated by the government of Norway and the UNHCR and he continued running as a means of integration and wellbeing. He has gone on to participate in several races in Europe, including the Copenhagen Marathon, in which he placed 11th earlier this year. He is also a member of the Refugee Athlete Scholarship programme.

Long-standing team member Eisa Mohammed, who fled Sudan at the age of 16 and is now based in Israel, joined the ART in 2019 and competed at that year’s World Championships as well as the following edition in Oregon in 2022. He focused on training after missing out on the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and came close to his PB when finishing second at the Track Night Vienna in 13:21.39 in June.

Alice Annibali for World Athletics

Athlete Refugee Team in Tokyo

Women
800m: Perina Lokure Nakang
5000m: Farida Abaroge

Men
800m: Musa Suliman
5000m: Jamal Abdelmaji Eisa Mohammed
Marathon: Omar Hassan, Emmanuel Kiruhura Ntagunga

Up Next

Edwards recalls world record-breaking triple jump

Don't Miss

Kane scores against his former side Tottenham as Bayern thump the English team in pre-season friendly

Click to comment

Athletics

NetOne and Albun Fitness Host Route Visit Ahead of World Athletics-Accredited Honde Valley Marathon

NetOne and Albun Fitness hosted a comprehensive route visit on Saturday in preparation for the prestigious NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon, scheduled for November 22 in Honde Valley. The event drew a wide range of stakeholders, including service providers and members of the media, as final touches were made to the marathon logistics.

Published

4 weeks ago

November 3, 2025

Adelaide Kuudzerema

Albun Fitness Managing Director Alois Bunjira led the delegation through the designated race routes, showcasing the start and finish points for the 42km, 21km, 10km, and 5km categories. He also highlighted the newly pegged water stations, now positioned every 3km to ensure optimal hydration and safety for participants.

“This past weekend, the NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon team, alongside our valued corporate partners and stakeholders, conducted a productive route visit in Honde Valley. We assessed the starting and finishing area, prescribed and marked by the World Athletics Board, checked out the exhibition point, and allocated water stations, in preparation for the event on 22 November

It was a fantastic and collaborative weekend, and we’re excited for a successful marathon!

We are still open for business. Come and get your corporate on board, exhibit and take part in the best event of the year in the most beautiful place in Zimbabwe,” Bunjira said.

The NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon has gained significant recognition this year, earning accreditation from World Athletics. This means athletes who compete in the event can now use their times to qualify for international competitions, elevating the marathon’s status on the global athletics calendar.

The route visit served not only as a logistical check but also as a platform to reaffirm the organizers’ commitment to delivering a world-class experience. With scenic views, challenging terrain, and professional support, the NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon is poised to attract elite runners and recreational athletes alike.

As anticipation builds, NetOne and Albun Fitness continue to emphasize community engagement, athletic excellence, and international standards—setting the stage for what promises to be a landmark event in Zimbabwe’s sporting calendar.

Athletics

Nyaradzo Group to Light Up Honde Valley with Scenic Camping Village for NetOne Albun Marathon

As the third edition of the NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon approaches, one of Zimbabwe’s most scenic regions is preparing to welcome athletes and spectators in a truly unforgettable way—thanks to the Nyaradzo Group.

Published

2 months ago

October 9, 2025

Adelaide Kuudzerema

By Tongai Mwenje

In a move that blends hospitality, nature, and community spirit, Nyaradzo Group is setting up a fully serviced Nyaradzo Camping Village right in the heart of Honde Valley’s lush tea plantations. The initiative promises to elevate the marathon experience, offering runners and visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Eastern Highlands while enjoying modern comforts.

Each tent in the camping village is designed to accommodate two people, complete with two beds, solar lighting, a private toilet, and a hot shower—ensuring guests enjoy both rustic charm and essential amenities. For just USD $50 per tent per night, visitors can unwind under the stars and wake up to the crisp mountain air, just steps away from the marathon route.

But the experience doesn’t end there. The village will also feature a bar and shop, creating a vibrant social hub where runners can relax, share stories, and celebrate their achievements. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or a first-time visitor, the Nyaradzo Camping Village offers a front-row seat to the action and a chance to connect with the spirit of the event.

The NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon has grown into one of Zimbabwe’s premier athletic events, and this year’s edition—set for 22 November 2025—promises to be the biggest yet. With four races on offer, including the newly launched BreeZ Half Marathon (21km) in honour of the late Brenda Zvinorova, the event is expected to draw hundreds of participants from across the country and beyond.

To book your tent and be part of this unforgettable experience, visit www.sahwigate.com.

As the countdown begins, Nyaradzo Group’s camping village is poised to light up Honde Valley—offering comfort, community, and a celebration of life in motion.

Athletics

NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon Launches ‘BreeZ Half Marathon’ in Memory of Bunjira’s fiancée

In a deeply moving tribute to a life dedicated to sport and community, the organisers of the NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon have renamed the 21km race “ BreeZ Marathon” in honour of Brenda Zvinorova, a founding member of the prestigious annual marathon who tragically passed away in Harare in August this year – three days after sustaining critical injuries in a devastating car crash on the Rusape-Nyanga road.

Published

2 months ago

October 8, 2025

Adelaide Kuudzerema

In a deeply moving tribute to a life dedicated to sport and community, the organisers of the NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon have renamed the 21km race “ BreeZ Half Marathon” in honour of Brenda Zvinorova, a founding member of the prestigious annual marathon who tragically passed away in Harare in August this year – three days after sustaining critical injuries in a devastating car crash on the Rusape-Nyanga road.

By Tongai Mwenje

Zvinorova, affectionately known as “BreeZ,” was en route to Honde Valley with her fiancé, former football star Alois Bunjira, and World Athletics Board representative Coach Wade for a crucial inspection that would determine the marathon’s eligibility as a certified international event. The inspection was successful—but heartbreakingly, Brenda did not live to witness the milestone she had worked tirelessly to achieve since the event’s inception in 2023.

At the official launch of the 2025 edition held in Harare on Wednesday, Bunjira delivered an emotional announcement: “NetOne and the Albun Marathon organisers agreed to rename the 21km race after my late wife, Brenda Zvinorova, to her nickname ‘BreeZ’,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.

The BreeZ Half Marathon will now stand as a permanent fixture in the event’s legacy, celebrating Brenda’s passion, leadership, and untiring commitment to the growth of athletics in Zimbabwe. The race will offer generous prizes to the top five finishers: USD1,000 for first place, USD700 for second, USD500 for third, USD400 for fourth, and USD200 for fifth.

Beyond the tribute, Bunjira outlined a vibrant schedule of activities leading up to race day. “We are going to have a pre-marathon party on Friday hosted by famous DJs including Tony Friday at Valley Lodges Events Centre,” he said. The race day itself promises a dynamic lineup: the full marathon (42km) kicks off at 5:30 AM, followed by the BreZ Marathon (21km) at 6:30 AM, the 10km race at 6:45 AM, and the 5km fun run at 7:00 AM.

“We encourage runners to participate, and after the marathon there will be prizes and business networking opportunities,” Bunjira added, highlighting the event’s growing role as both a sporting and economic platform.

As the countdown to 22 November begins, the BreeZ Half Marathon will serve not only as a competitive race but as a heartfelt celebration of a woman whose vision and spirit helped shape one of Zimbabwe’s most prestigious athletic events. Her legacy will now run alongside every stride taken in Honde Valley.