mbulelo smpofu
A total of 19 athletics coaches from across Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces, along with one coach from Botswana and another from Zambia, successfully participated in the recently concluded Sprint and Hurdles Coaching Course held at White City Stadium in Bulawayo from 19 to 24 April.
The course, which was facilitated by Muzi Bongani Mabuza, Eswatini Senior Athletics Lecturer, and assisted by Tendayi Tagara, president of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz), focused on equipping coaches with advanced knowledge in planning, technical execution, and performance assessment in sprint and hurdles events.
Among the participants was renowned Botswana sprint icon and coach Isaac Makwala, whose presence added weight and valuable experience to the training sessions.
The course content covered a wide spectrum of athletics coaching fundamentals including training periodisation, competition phases (pre-competition, competition, post-competition), session planning, athlete development, and practical assessments.
Speaking on the significance of the programme, Manuel Mpofu, Director of Competitions at Naaz, emphasized:
“This course is not just about technical drills and coaching certificates — it is about elevating the quality of coaching in Zimbabwe and the region. When coaches are empowered with the right knowledge and planning tools, our athletes become more competitive and our performances on the international stage improve significantly.”
Course director Mabuza expressed satisfaction with the commitment and engagement shown by the participants, noting that the group demonstrated readiness to apply the knowledge acquired:
“The participants were equal to the task, showing great passion and understanding of the sport. I am confident this course will translate into better-prepared athletes across Zimbabwe and the region.”
Looking ahead, Naaz has lined up additional coaching development courses for the month of August 2025, which include:
CECS Level 2 Middle and Long-Distance Coaching Course
CECS Level 2 Throws Coaching Course
Both courses are part of Naaz’s broader strategy to continuously build capacity within the coaching fraternity and ensure technical excellence across all disciplines of athletics.
Mpofu further highlighted the importance of these ongoing interventions, particularly as Zimbabwe prepares to host the Southern Africa (SADC) Regional Senior Athletics Championships this July:
“With the SADC Games coming up, we need well-prepared athletes guided by technically sound coaches. These courses ensure that our coaches are not only certified but are also fully equipped to manage athlete preparation across all competition phases effectively. This is how we close the gap between talent and podium success.”
The Sprint and Hurdles course marks another milestone in Naaz’s commitment to developing a strong technical base for athletics in Zimbabwe and the region, reinforcing the role of education and structured development in achieving sporting excellence.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter