GIDABUDAY KUHAMASISHA UJENZI WA KIJIJI CHA MICHEZO TANZANIA LENYE JINA YA MWANARIADHA MKONGWE BW.JOHN STEPHEN AKHWARI

14‐Year‐Old Tanzania Runner Sure U.S. Will Remember Her –

Article from The New York Times dated Feb. 2, 1975 By Lena Williams

The odds seemed to be stacked against 14‐year‐old Mwinga Mwanjala, the Tanzanian distance runner who arrived in New York earlier last week to compete in the Millrose Games at Mathson Square Garden. Not only would it be the first indoor competition for the 4‐foot‐11‐inch, 90‐pound runner, the only female on her team, but prior to the competition she had never heard of Cheryl Touissant or Francie Larrieu, the two American challengers in the Millrose 1,000‐yard run. In addition, her youth and unfamiliarity with the English language were added disadvantages, it seemed. She finished fifth in the race and seemed uncomfortable on the strange running surface.

But during a news conference at the Statler‐Hilton Hotel prior to the games, Miss Mwanjala, who speaks only Swahili, managed to communicate through her interpreter in a relaxed and confident manner.

Displaying more enthusiasm for her visit to the United States than eagerness for the meet, Miss Mwanjala said through her interpreter, Capt. Protase Muc'nwampalra:

“I will sit for hours telling my friends about my travels. They are very interested in other countries. I will be a hero when I go home. Every; one will want to hear what have to say.”

It was three years ago that Miss Mwanjala began running for fun—to and from school in Tanzania with her friends. Later in competition there, she set the Tanzanian record of 4 minutes 34.6 seconds in the 1500 meters.

Not until recently, however, did she think of running as a sport. The newness of it all partly explained the uncertainty of her strategy in the Mil!rose Games.

“I guess I will stay near the front, but not necessarily as the leader,” she said as she fiddled with a T shirt given to her by meet officials. “I want to do good.”

But she seemed uncertain about what doing good might include. Her teammates, who are all older, treat Miss Mwanjala more like a sister than one of the team.

While the questions about her track career brought a route smile to the face of the tiny sprinter, a gift of two sweaters from Ms. magazine produced a wide grin.

When she arrived in New York from Tanzania, she was wearing a short — sleeved blouse and was surprised at the cold temperature. She was given a coat by Mrs. Judy Schmertz, wife of Howard Schmertz, the co‐director of the Millrose Games.

Miss Mwanjala gave a childish giggle when told that she, perhaps, was the only international competitor whose first and last names begin and end with the same letters.

And while it is difficult for nianv to pronounce Mwinga Mwanjala, she believes. it will soon be as commonpace a lime in America as those of such African male competitors as Filbert Bayi, Kip Kelm or Ben Jipcho. Her coach says that in Tanzania, Mwinga is a household word.

 

Mwinga Mwanjala was born on 13 January 1960. She is a Tanzanian middle-distance runner. She competed in the women's 800 meters at the 1980 Summer Olympics. She was the first woman to represent Tanzania at the Olympics.
Outdoor
 

 

Discipline      Performance       Place                                                   Date  
800 Metres      2:05.15              Lenin Stadium, Moskva (URS)         24 JUL 1980    
1500 Metres    4:20.84              Lenin Stadium, Moskva (URS)         30 JUL 1980    
3000 Metres    9:42.66              Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles,CA (USA)    08 AUG 1984    

She is the founder of Mwinga Mwanjala Athletics Club (MMAC)-Tanzania

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