adminTHE Sports and Recreation Commission has come under fire for repossessing tracksuits that were used by athletes during the 12th edition of the National Youth Games in Masvingo last month.
Coaching staff and members of the technical teams that were in Bulawayo castigated the SRC for failing to give the tracksuits to the athletes as a gesture of thanking them for taking part in the games.
The athletes were reportedly hastily asked to return the tracksuits that were bought for this year’s games but it is not clear what they would be used for in future.
An official who was part of the Bulawayo delegation that went to Masvingo said allowing athletes to keep the tracksuits would have played a motivating role to ensure they remained proud of having represented the province.
“We do not know what their policy is concerning such clothing, but it was disheartening for the athletes to have the tracksuits taken from them. To the youngsters it is a prized possession, a souvenir to show that one once represented his province with pride and he/she is among the best in sports,’’ said the official.
“This not only serves to motivate those who would have been part of the provincial team but also challenges those who failed to make the cut to work harder and make it into the squad.”
Bulawayo came third at the games, collecting nine gold and 13 silver medals. Harare took the first place while the host province was second.
Bulawayo managed to dominate in athletics scooping several gold medals while the football team took a silver medal.
Efforts to get a comment from SRC provincial coordinator Sam Dzvimbu were fruitless as he was not answering his mobile, while SRC communications manager, Tirivashe Nheweyebwa said provinces were at liberty to decide what they wanted to do with such clothing.
“It is traditional for athletes to surrender them (tracksuits) to the officials for washing and then the officials make the final decision on what action to take. While other provinces give the athletes the clothing some keep them for future use depending on financial constraints as some might not be able to buy new ones for next year. Those who can afford new ones will obviously give them to the athletes and make plans for the following year,” he said.
Another official said it was unlikely that tracksuits would be used at the next Games as new ones would have been bought as has been the norm over the years.
derick.khumalo