The National Championship is on today at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka with United States of America-based runner Prince Mumba aiming at qualifying for the 2023 Congo- Brazzaville All-Africa Games. Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) has been allocated 11 slots and so far, nine runners have qualified for the Pan-African Games. Mumba, who has represented the country at several international competitions, is an 800m runner who has the hope of qualifying for the next stage. United States-based Gerald Phiri, Sydney Siame, both 100m, Brian Kasinda, Hazemba Chitambo, both 100m, 200m, Kábange Mupopo, Saviour Kombe, Rhoda Njovu, Lumeta Katundu, all 400mn, and Joseph Sinkala (long jump) are Brazzaville bound. The two remaining slots Will be filled after today's event at the National Heroes Stadium. ZAAA international relations and communications manager Davison Mung'ambata said in an interview yesterday that the championship will be highly competitive as most of the elite runners are taking part. Mung'ambata said athletes that have already qualified for the All-Africa Games will use the championship to intensify preparations. "We expect the championship to be very competitive because most of the elite athletes are taking part. Even those that have already qualified for the All- Africa Games. They will use the championship to prepare and give competition to the athletes that will be competing to fill the remaining two slots," He said. Photo Credit-OYDC