Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, riding on the success of their athletes, have applauded sprinters Tapiwanashe Makarawu and David Nyamufarira, who were honoured at the 2024 Annual National Sports Awards over the weekend.
Makarawu was the biggest winner on the awards night, when receiving the Sportsperson of the Year and Sportsman of the Year accolades, ahead of Makanakaishe Charamba, and tennis ace Benjamin Lock.
Charamba and Lock were the first runner-up and second runner-up for the Sportsman of the Year.
Nyamufarira, scooped the Junior Sportsman of the Year.
NAAZ president Tendayi Tagara was full of praise for the athletes and acknowledged that Makarawu’s achievements have put the local athletics mother body on the sporting map.
Makarawu, was on fire qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in 200m with a time of 19.93seconds, setting a new national record in the process.
The United States-based athlete went on to reach the final at the Games and placed sixth.
“We are so grateful as an association that one of our own managed to lift the Sportsperson of the Year, 2024.
“Makarawu had a very successful 2024 season that climaxed with the sixth position in the final of the 200m in Paris (at the Olympic Games).”
His remarkable performance in Paris saw him being honoured in the United States, as he was awarded by Sam D. Cobb, Mayor of the City of Hobbs, New Mexico for the accomplishment of placing sixth in 200m at the world at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
And the mayor proclaimed September 3, 2024 as “Tapiwanashe Makarawu Day.”
Makarawu, a former New Mexico Junior College student transferred to University of Kentucky University last year.
Prior to his participation at the Olympics, Makarawu won a silver medal in 200m at the Africa Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon.
“Remember he is a student. If he was a full-time athlete, I believe 2024 was the year for him to go to the podium.
“But we are happy for the performance so far. As an association it lifted us.
“There is a lot of confidence from the corporate world in terms of management of our athletics as an association.
“There is a lot of support from the Sports and Recreation Commission and the government of Zimbabwe.
“We are happy as association and we are growing. We are happy Makarawu has put us on the map and has pushed our agenda high in terms of recognition as a national association,” Tagara said.
Makarawu is up for the World Athletics Championships, in September, in Tokyo Japan.
He secured his place in 200m after running a qualifying time during the Olympics.
Nyamufarira, also a 100m and 200m runner, seems to be following in the footsteps of Makarawu as he moved to the US on an athletics scholarship last year to join New Mexico Junior College.
“Nyamufarira is a good prospect and is doing well this season in America.
“He is still very young. The future looks good for him and he is showing that the (National Sports Academy based at) Bindura University is playing a critical role in talent identification and identifying the right athletes.
“I am happy that the vice chancellor of Bindura University is playing a critical role to make sure that he sets a stage for these juniors from the Sports Academy to universities in America.
“That’s a good indication and is putting the university of the map,” said Tagara.
Both Makarawu and Nyamufarira passed through the National Sports Academy housed at the Bindura University of Science Education.
Cuthbert Nyasango, who is coach at the Academy and previously worked with both athletes is a proud man.
“It’s a great achievement for the National Sports Academy to have two of our former athletes (being honoured).
“It’s a great achievement to us and we are very happy.
“We are looking forward to seeing more of this recognition for the students because we identify athletes around the country.
“So, if you see Makarawu is from Mashonaland Central, David is from Mashonaland West.
“We have Privilege Chikara also, who is in America from Mashonaland East. We have a lot of athletes around the country.
“We are happy with the support that we are getting from all key stakeholders who contributed to the success because us from National Sports Academy, we identify these athletes at competition level.
“That means there’s someone who has already done something in the beginning for us to be able to identify these athletes at a certain level, which we always appreciate their role and we continue to appreciate the support they give us,” said Nyasango.
He acknowledged BUSE for their role as partners and assisting towards the development of athletes.
Peter Tanyanyiwa