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Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
Former Olympian and Zimbabwe National Team Athletics team coach, Partson Muderedzi has vowed to bring back the glory days of sports to Redcliff by nurturing upcoming talent through the establishment of an athletics academy.
Redcliff used to be an athletics cooking pot with track champions like Muderedzi himself, Obey Tavengwa, Melusi Ndlela and Christopher Madzokere, having been nurtured by Ziscosteel Athletics Club before going as far as representing the country.
Not only did Redcliff nurture track and field champions but also, through Ziscosteel Football Club, produced football power houses like Paul Gundani, Amadu Sosala, Ephraim Dzimbiri and James Takavada to name but a few.
But the demise of the giant steel making company which played a major role not only in sport but also in the economy of the country, spelt doom for sport in the dormitory town.
The death of Ziscosteel also saw the demise of Torwoord Stadium which used to be a breeding ground for most sports personalities in Redcliff. The stadium now resembles the yard of forgotten ruins and is now a home to snakes and rats as it has not been given attention due to non-availability of water.
But Muderedzi took it upon himself to nurture talent that he believes was going to waste in the small town which has also suffered economically from the closure of the giant steel company. The former Olympian came up with an athletics club, Stars for Christ Academy, with the aim of reviving sport in the town.
The academy has since started producing results with one of his products, 12-year-old Chiedza Chivakwa set to represent the country in Swaziland next month in the Cossasa Games.
Speaking during a function to handover a kit to the Grade 7 RJ Davies Primary School pupil, Muderedzi said although the academy would be launched formally in May, it has already started producing results.
“We have decided not to wait for the launch and to start working on the promising talent that we have in the town. We have a lot of talent that is going to waste in this town and we have decided to nurture it with the assistance of the community and of course the local authority,” said the former 100 and 200 metres sprint champion.
Coincidentally, Muderedzi was trained by Chivakwa’s grandfather.
He said the name was drawn from the need by athletes to realise that success was founded on Christian faith saying drug abuse was a short cut to one’s demise.
“Most athletes believe that if they use drugs, it is a short cut to success. What they don’t know is that they are taking the shortest route ever to their death. So the academy is founded in Christianity where athletes will be taught to believe in themselves through Christian values and morals,” he said.
Chivakwa, a 100 and 200-metre sensation herself, received a sporting kit including a tracksuit, a pair of spikes, tackies and a medal from former record holder Carl Lewis.
“We are good friends with Lewis who also chairs our Lay Witness for Christ Academy for coaches and international organisation which trains coaches. He is so supportive of the academy and I tell you we are getting the best from one of the best,” he said.
Muderedzi was at one time the national athletics team coach who took the Olympics team to the competitions in 1996.
Speaking at the same occasion, Redcliff Town Clerk, Mr Gilson Chakauya vowed to take every measure possible to resuscitate Torwood Stadium which had grown to become the home of athletics in the country.
“Given the opportunity, we will revamp the stadium to make it one of the best in the country. But the problem is that the facility is not yet fully in our hands, it still belongs to Ziscosteel so we can only do minor interventions,” said Chakauya.
He also said the municipality was making efforts to revamp other recreational facilities like swimming pools and tennis courts in the town. Redcliff also donated $500 towards the welfare of the young starlet who is set to compete in the national competitions in the capital this week.
Online Reporter