adminNkosilathi Sibanda recently in Gaborone, Botswana
The just-ended Confederation of Schools Sport Association for Southern Africa (Cossasa) athletics competition in Botswana witnessed a high level of contest among participants. The 88 athletes that represented Zimbabwe took a combined 50 medals – 11 gold, 22 silver and 17 bronze though this was a drop compared to the previous year when they were champions, with a total of 61 medals, most of them gold.
There were many factors at play that could have influenced the team’s poor show.
Chronicle Sport was with Team Zimbabwe during the games and observed how the athletes fared from preparation up to the last day of the regional competition.
Preparation and selection: The team was a mix of the best athletes from primary and secondary schools national competitions held in March. The National Association of Secondary Heads (Nash) held their competitions in Marondera while National Association of Primary Heads (Naph) got their team from the Hwange track and field championships which were also national finals.
Winners in both track and field events booked a place to be part of Team Zimbabwe. The squad camped at Northlea High School for a week. The venue was ideal, considering the proximity of Bulawayo to Botswana.
Due to limited funding, the team only trained for a few days so the time was not enough for coaches and athletes to bond.
Coaches said they wanted to be in camp for at least three weeks.
Travel and time management: Instead of leaving at 4AM as planned, the buses only came at 11AM which was too late for the journey to Gaborone which is more than 600km from Bulawayo.
Athletes competed on their arrival day so they were affected by fatigue.
Reception and accommodation: The Batswana welcome was a hearty one. At around 1AM, accreditation was done before sleeping. Athletes had a few hours rest.
For the duration of the games, Team Zimbabwe was camped at Mara-a-Pula School – a private institution that had facilities next to hotel standards. This was a morale booster.
Race experts have it that athletes need a comfortable rest and conducive environment for them to do well.
The competition and venue: Four countries – Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Zambia and the hosts participated. The number was far lower than expected. The venue was the University of Botswana Stadium. There was a tartan track and the lawn was cut to standard. Even at the high and triple jump sites, no complaints were made.
There were athletes who had no spikes, especially in the Under-14 category. Lack of funding was cited as the reason for this and there are a few schools in the country with a tartan track. Most athletes, especially from rural areas, are used to running barefooted and it cost the team heavily. Athletes fell way far in finishing times. Ironically, the team trained on a tartan track at Nust.
It was also observed that athletes were not used to the starter’s gun. Team Zimbabwe officials noted this as well.
It is not advisable to run barefooted on the tartan track. The effect is worse on long distance runners. Local schools, if funds permit, must invest in latest sporting equipment and facilities in order to improve performance.
Allegations of age-cheating almost put a dent on the competition. Zimbabwe had a clean sheet on the vetting process. Complaints came when other teams like Botswana and Lesotho were accused of fielding over-aged athletes.
Anti-doping agents were on site as well and athletics was the most affected.
Time management and officiating: The organisers failed to stick to time. Events started late, some shifted and this had an effect on athletes.
When it came to managing time, the local organising committee was not professional at all. They knew less of athletics procedure. The criteria used on the selection of the organising committee raised eyebrows.
Officials from Zimbabwe are more learned in the sport and were better positioned to do the job.
Release of results took long and there was inconsistency in awarding positions, time of finishing race.
Diet: This is where officials got it wrong. Team Zimbabwe officials had no dietician for the athletes. Questions were raised as to why athletes had to be fed on isitshwala, beef, rice and chicken meals throughout.
Some athletes had to eat two hours before their races.
Of course the team had no sufficient funds but the food left a lot to be desired.
Presentation: The setback was on spikes and that Under-17s and Under-14s wore different uniforms although their tracksuits were in national colours.
Namibia and Botswana were the best dressed and could that have been a secret to their achievements?
Online Reporter