Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
NATIONAL athletics is enjoying one of its strongest years in recent memory as the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe says the sport’s revival is being driven by a clear investment in coaching. Director of coaching Lisimati Phakamile believes 2025 has shown what happens when the technical side of the game is taken seriously.
He spoke in Bulawayo on Friday at the opening of the Coaches Education Certification Course, where he has been conducting a series of clinics. He said the gains made this year were built on the work done by coaches countrywide.
“I want to first of all appreciate the work that has been done by the coaches in 2025. We had an increased number of athletes qualifying for the World Championships. We saw quality performances from the likes of Tapiwa Makarawu, and a national record from Vimbai Masorera. All these results came in 2025, and as an association we feel this has been an impressive and positive year for us.” He said the results confirmed that improved technical training was starting to show its value.
“We believe we are now reaping the rewards of the hard work coaches are putting in behind the scenes,” he said. “We hope that from 2026 through to the 2028 Olympics, we will continue to build on this momentum. Our aim is to improve on what we have set now, produce better performances, qualify more athletes, and ultimately see more Zimbabweans on the podium in 2028.”
He said the association was encouraged by the confidence shown in its programmes.
“Basically, 2025 has been a successful year for athletics in Zimbabwe. We are happy and excited about the number of courses we have conducted. The results we are seeing show that upcoming coaches have confidence in the programmes we offer and in the scientific methods we are teaching.”
International interest has also grown, something he believes strengthens the country’s standing in the region.
“We are seeing more coaches coming into Zimbabwe for training. It’s a good sign that the region has confidence in our systems and in the coaches we have produced. It shows that as a country, we are doing a great job in athletics both nationally and internationally.”
White City Stadium has been busy. The TOEC Course wrapped up on Thursday, and the CECS opened yesterday with twenty five participants already on board. Eswatini coach Muzi Mabuza is expected to jet in today for specialised sessions. He will lead the Level 2 sprints and hurdles programme from 8 to 13 December and brings strong regional experience in developing sprinters and hurdlers.
Soon after Mabuza’s arrival, German expert Gunter Lange will land in Bulawayo to take the Level 2 middle and long distance group from 11 to 16 December, also at White City Stadium.
Bongani Ndlovu