adminTHE issue of prize money at the country’s long and short distance races once again took centre stage at this year’s edition of the Simon Muzenda Marathon in Gutu last weekend.
Prior to the race some athletes expressed their disgruntlement over the decision by the organisers to reduce the prize money. The athletes were told at a pre-race meeting that winners of the main event would receive $600 down from $2 500, as initially announced. What further irked the participants was that only the top five would be rewarded, instead of the first 10, while there would be no monetary rewards for other age groups such as the veterans and juniors.
As if to add another dimension to the drama that could have brought a damper on the race, founded by Zimbabwe’s late Vice-President and national hero, Simon Muzenda, 20 years ago to promote sport in the rural areas in a sustainable manner, the legendary duo of Samukeliso Moyo and Thabita Tsatsa, withdrew from the race despite the fact that they were on the women’s 21km start list.
Speaking in her capacity as the vice-chairperson of the Athletics Commission, an entity that represents the interests of athletes, Moyo however, refuted suggestions that they had shied away from taking part over prize money.
“It was not because of the issue of prize money, but it was because of something else. When we came here we really wanted to participate, but it’s not because of the prize money, we were not angered by the prize money. All what we want is to see this race growing bigger and bigger,’’ said Moyo.
However, Sunday News later learnt the duo were among the athletes who were infuriated by remarks by one of the organisers, who challenged them “not to participate if they were not happy with the prize money.’’
“It is true that there were such kind of remarks. That is not the language we use in athletics because when they organise a race they will be doing so for us. Some athletes came here to run, and they met their own transport costs to come here,” said Moyo.
On the contentious issue of prizes before marathon events, Moyo said it has been their request that they be told in advance how much they would earn.
“The issue of the prize money has always been our request because as athletes we need to know how much we are running for and we have always requested that not only before this race but even other races such as the Vumba Marathon, and one in Bulawayo,’’ said Moyo.
She said monetary rewards should also be spread across all age groups.
“Being people who have been in sport for some years, we have never worked anywhere and this is what we do for a living, and we have the courage of saying every participant at least should be in a position to get something.
Whenever we train, whenever we run, whenever we go to races, we are not only looking to seniors to win, we have people who are veterans, grand masters, and great grand masters. Some of these people are not employed, their job is to run, and they do that for their livelihoods.
“They have spent almost their entire lives in sport, so we should keep them moving; they are the people who are there to motivate the younger ones.
“I am nearly 42 years old, but the gap which is between me and the other athletes is too big, and below these people there is nothing there. We need juniors; we need everyone to be embraced by the sport that we have loved for so long, to see it grow.
“Let’s take the Simon Muzenda Marathon back to its roots because this is the race that used to attract a lot of people. One of the ideals of the founding father of this race VaMuzenda was that people should not do what will make us as athletes not to run, not to compete in this race. Even when you get the tapes of one of his speeches you will find a portion where he spoke about that,” said Moyo.
On how the Muzenda Marathon could be brought back to its glory days, as it was evident through last weekend’s poor attendance as it used to attract hundreds of athletes, Moyo said the onus lay with the organisers.
“It is our hope the race will continue being staged. We should not discourage organisers by saying things that are negative. They should bring back what used to be there in terms of organisation and approach and even issues of prize money. Even if it (prize money) is not much, athletes should know what they will get. I note that the winners today got $600, and $500 for the runners-up, this money could have been shared among the top 10 finishers,’’ she said.
Prior to the race defending champion Rutendo Nyahora did not turn up citing lack of clarity on prize money. She had the previous week won the 10km race at the prestigious Soweto Marathon in South Africa.
The spokesman of the organisers, Titus Madzingo, blamed the reduction in prizes to donors who did not honour their pledges.
The men’s race was won by Kelvin Pangiso of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services in 1 hour 8 minutes, 31 seconds. Olivier Chitate won the female category in 1hr 22 mins 30 seconds.
Online Reporter