adminFungai Muderere in Harare
CONFEDERATION of African Football (Caf) instructor Taurai Mangwiro has challenged local football coaches to consider being role models to their players and the society at large. Mangwiro, a former Harare City and Caps United coach, said this in his presentation titled “Qualities of a Good Coach” at a three day Sports Writers Workshop that started in Harare on Wednesday and ends today.
“Coaches should be admirable in appearance so as to gain trust and respect from their respective players and the society at large. Coaches should prioritise to be good role models and be worth imitating,” said Mangwiro, also a teacher by profession.
“As a coach you should not let your dress code disturb your players. You should be presentable all the time. A coach should be well ordered and organised.” About the football coaches’ cognitive qualities, the former Harare City gaffer said a coach should be intelligent, have an agile mind to read situations and improvise.
He also said it was of paramount importance for coaches to know their playing systems and tactics. “Coaches have to greatly know their playing systems and tactics. They should understand the methodology when taking charge of a team. They should also be assertive, able to defend their opinions whether to their respective club’s executive members or fans,” said Mangwiro.
Meanwhile, Zifa communications and media manager Xolisani Gwesela urged sports media practitioners and football administrators to consider working hand in glove for the benefit of the local sporting industry.
He said there was a need for sports writers to diligently seek out subjects of news stories to give them an opportunity to respond to allegations of wrongdoing. In his presentation titled “Media Ethics and Media Guidelines” Gwesela said journalists should distinguish between advocacy and news reporting.
“I think as sports writers you should consider identifying sources whenever feasible. Always question sources’ motive before promising anonymity. Make sure that headlines, news teasers, promotional material, photo videos, audios, sound bites and quotations do not misrepresent. Never distort the content of photos and videos. Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting so as to get rid of agenda setting characteristics of the press,” said Gwesela.
He added that stage managed news events have proved to be detrimental to sport. He also expressed his displeasure on sports journalists that have a tendency of plagiarising content from foreign websites that include Fifa.com
He also mentioned that it was very disturbing to note that of local sports writers were also fond of not acknowledging material that they get from Zifa website.
Online Reporter