adminCharles Mushinga
Zimbabwe became the 101st country to launch shuttle time when South Africa based Mike Noone took teachers and coaches on a course that will see them take the sport to different schools across the country.
FOUR schools have introduced Badminton to their sporting curriculum for the first time following Badminton Association of Zimbabwe’s launch of Shuttle Time, a programme meant to popularize the sport around the world.
Zimbabwe became the 101st country to launch shuttle time when South Africa based Mike Noone took teachers and coaches on a course that will see them take the sport to different schools across the country.
The graduates from the course have since introduced badminton to Girls High School, Tynwald High, Kuwadzana 3 High School and Mukurumbira Primary school in Mufakose.
Previously only a few schools played the sport in Zimbabwe among them Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth, Mabelreign Girls High, Ellis Robins, Alan Wilson, Mufakose 1 High, Westridge, Marondera High and Mazowe Boys High.
One of the graduates from the coaching course, Alfred Mahesi, who introduced badminton to Tynwald High said the course was an eye opener.
“It was so good for me to take part in the shuttle time course. The course was so informative l learnt a lot of things especially on how to coach the kids and how to introduce the game to the kids.
“I also leant that, contrary to popular beliefs, the sport is not that expensive. We grew up thinking it’s for elite schools.
“The course instructor from South Africa Mike taught us so many things especially on how to coach the youngsters.
“He told us to always start from the simple skills to complex skills and don’t include difficult activities for the kids so that they don’t run away from the game.
“I started playing the game at Churchill Boys High during my teaching practice in 2012 and since then I developed interest in the game.
“Thumbs up to Badminton Association of Zimbabwe vice president Paul Kopolo, the president Chipo and Rafik (vice president development) for taking us through one of the most organised coaching clinics l have attended. Keep on working hard guys.
“Now that l am equipped with knowledge on how to coach and got equipment that they gave us in the form of rackets and shuttles, my goal is to make the game one of most played sport in schools especially government schools but first l will do it at Tynwald High where l am teaching,” said Mahesi.
He has since introduced the sport to Kuwadzana 3 High School as well.
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