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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
TWENTY coaches graduated with Education and Certification System level 1 coaching certificates at a National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) coaching clinic that ended in Bulawayo yesterday.
The 12-day International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) accredited course held at White City Stadium saw coaches undergoing practical and theory lessons that were capped by an exam on Sunday.
IAAF offers Zimbabwe a slot to host such a course once every 10 to 15 years.
The coaching clinic was conducted by IAAF certified lecturers Lisimate Phakamile and Tendai Tagara, who is also the NAAZ president.
Coaches were taught different aspects of the sport, which include coaching philosophy, skills of coaching communication and new scientific coaching methods.
Former athletes Themba Ncube, Gabriel Chikomo and Cuthbert Nyasango also attended the course.
Tagara was optimistic that the new crop of coaches will work towards improving the standard of athletics in the country.
“We are happy that most coaches that attended the course are former athletes. We had only one female participant this time, but in future we will introduce a quota system that will cater for women,” said Tagara.
“We are happy that we had members from the security forces and universities, meaning talent there is in safe hands. Interestingly all the participants we had passed the exercise, which is great. Our focus as the national association is on vision 2020. We want to go to Tokyo (the Olympic Games) with medal hopefuls and we are aiming for several podium finishes.
“We have the World Junior Championships in Finland next year, so our target this time around is to have qualifiers and take athletes that actually qualify. We want to see athletes produced by these coaches shining on the international stage,” said Tagara.
The deputy director in the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Recreation Isaiah Mpofu urged coaches to stay away from boardroom politics and focus on coaching.
“I urge you to comply with the demands of the association. The key thing is for you to go out there and nurture talent from a young age. We want to build from the grassroots level all the way up.
“Equal opportunity between a child in the rural area and in urban areas is very crucial. There is plenty of ignored talent in rural areas that we expect you to unearth,” Mpofu said.
Coaches that graduated
Ndumiso Ngwenya, Abednico M Sechaba, Prince Ndebele, Makonese Masakadza, Mkhokheli Dube, Cutbert Nyasango, Christopher Karikoga, Givas Karume, Costa Matigwene, Shingai Nyambipo, Bhaar Mpofu, Prosper Mundingi, Misheck Chigozha, Mirirai Madhaka, Gabriel Chikomo, Kudzaishe Chirove, Kudakwashe Mondiwa, Mc Gregor Munuhwa,Trust Chidomaya, Temba Ncube. — @innocentskizoe
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