adminHe said the ministry would then have its own budget meant for sports development.
At present sport is under the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture. The bulk of the money allocated to the ministry from treasury therefore goes towards funding education.
Sinyolo, who is now based in Belgium and is working for the international teachers’ organisation, said he was taken aback by the country’s poor performance at this year’s Olympics.
Zimbabwe had, through Kirsty Coventry, won medals in the last two Olympics in Athens, Greece, and Beijing, China, in 2004 and 2008 respectively.
“I am worried about the country’s poor performance at the Olympics. It spells doom when a country as big as ours fails to win a single medal when countries far smaller than us have something to take home,” he said.
Sinyolo said it was good for athletes to qualify for the Olympics but the country expected them to bring at least a few medals home.
He said the country’s approach to sports development was wrong. Sinyolo said international competitions should not be treated as events that associations and the nation should prepare for.
“There has to be a sports development programme spanning several years if the country has to win medals at such competitions. Winning should not be an accident but should be a result of several years of hard work,” said the former athletics administrator.
He praised Coventry for reaching the final in swimming and the two athletes Cuthbert Nyasango and Wirimai Juwawo for finishing in the top 20 of the marathon event.
“We have the talent, it’s no joke achieving that,” said Sinyolo.
He said what the Government should appreciate was the fact that sport has grown into an industry which needed a more serious approach and the right personnel in key posts at all levels.
“Sport is now serious business. Our approach should now change so that we create an environment in which sport can thrive.
“I am happy with the Sport and Recreation Commission who have introduced Paralympics and Youth Games,” said Sinyolo.
He said Zimbabwe had a good set-up for sport where both primary and secondary schools provided a platform for children to explore their talents. Participating and specialising in one sporting discipline, he said, could ensure good development of talent unlike the existing programme where a pupil could be involved in up to four sports disciplines.
“From both Naph and Nash I would encourage a situation whereby a child specialises in a particular sporting discipline,” he said.
He noted that apart from sponsorship, there was need for schools to upgrade facilities and the Sport and Recreation Commission to push for provincial centres of excellence.
Sinyolo said the way forward was for the Government and people of Zimbabwe to invest in sport.
“We just have to invest in sport, have targets and programmes that stimulate interest in sport across the board. So many of our facilities are derelict, they need rehabilitation, we need new ones to be built to help sports develop,” said Sinyolo.
He said moves by both Naph and Nash were welcome as more trained personnel were involved in coaching.
Online Reporter