Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZOC elections vice-president candidate Fredreck Ndlovu believes working closely with national sport associations is key if Zimbabwe is to increase and improve their participation at the Olympic Games.
Ndlovu is hoping he will be successful in his bid to be elected as ZOC vice president for elections scheduled for Sunday at the quadrennial general assembly set for Rainbow Towers in Harare.
He was first elected vice-president in 2021 and believes he can still contribute in making a difference at the National Olympic Committee. For me I think we still have a lot to do, as an organisation obviously.
“One of our main targets was to have 10 athletes (at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games). I think we achieved 70 percent of that.
“So, I would want to ensure that I support all the structures to ensure that at least we reach the target of a minimum of 10 athletes for LA 2028. That is one main target that I think as an organisation we need to try to focus on,” said Ndlovu.
“And obviously it’s not a ZOC thing only, athletes come from national federations, so we will need to do a lot of cooperation and interaction with the national federations, and identify structures that you know will ensure that we have athletes of the mould of the likes of (Tapiwanashe) Makarawu and the like, so that at least we have 10 athletes qualifying.
“Universality should be a bonus for us. That is my main focus that I want to assist ZOC in.”
Makarawu, together with Makanakaishe Charamba, reached the men’s 200m at the Olympics last year.
Ndlovu is looking at engaging corporates to assist the organisation in supporting the athletes towards attaining high performance that can see them qualify and perform at the highest level.
“Secondly to try to have a lot of other corporates coming on board and assisting ZOC because obviously for us to achieve this, we need a lot of funding to support the athletes to go to high performance centres for training etcetera. So that would be my main focus.
“And of course stabilising ZOC, ensuring that it remains the model, like in the past, the model National Olympic Committee in Africa, so that we will see a number of other African Olympic Committees seconding candidates to come and learn on how things are done by ZOC,” added Ndlovu.
Ndlovu, who was previously involved in the Zimbabwe Volleyball Association leadership believes his first term in office as ZOC vice president was an eye opener.
“In my first term I have learnt a lot.
“I think we need to reach out more. We need to reach out more to the corporates, we need to reach out more as ZOC to the national federations.
“We need to have that intimate relationship to understand them and they understand us, so that everyone understands the fact that the corporate, ZOC and national federations, we all have one goal.
“So, I think if we get aligned on that I think we are bound to have more athletes participating,” Ndlovu said.
Other posts up for grabs include the presidency, seven board member positions and five positions for the Disciplinary Committee.
Mxolisi Ndlovu is unopposed for the treasurer’s post.
ZOC elections candidates
President
Thabani Gonye, Ringisai Mapondera.
Vice President
Xolisani Gwesela, Merit Thokozile Munzwembiri, Fredreck Ndlovu, Vengayi Cleophas Nyangoni, Joe Kudzayi Rugwete, Godfrey Tichakunda Sunguro, Tendayi Tagara.
Treasurer
Mxolisi Ndlovu
Board Member
Charmaine Yemurai Chamboko, Abel Chimukoko, Letitia Chipandu, Edson Chirowodza, Tinashe Duri, Xolisani Gwesela, Abigail Mnikwa, Merit Thokozile Munzwembiri, Lizzie Mupure, Joe Kudzayi Rugwete, Tawanda Sithole, Tendayi Tagara, Fungai Happiness Zinatsa, Chipo Zumburani.
Eligible and approved Disciplinary Committee candidates
Zvidzai Herbert Chinyani, Blessing Ngwenya, Kelvin Simbarashe Sabao, Nyashadzashe Ruth Sai, Patony Porepore Musendo, Taona Sibanda.
