Naaz appoint coaches

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
OLYMPIAN Cuthbert Nyasango has been appointed as one of the five middle and long distance national coaches with immediate effect.

Nyasango, who is based at the Bindura University of Science Education Sports Academy and is also the athletes commission chairperson, will serve under his former coach Benson Chauke alongside Cephas Pasipamire from ZRP, Gwanda-based Zibusiso Nyoni and one Makaza from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS).

Tendai Tagara, the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz), said the appointment of coaches is meant to spread expertise across the county in their quest to develop athletes.

“The new coaches’ structure is a response to coaches to widen the base for leadership based on experience and specialisation. We used to have a director of coaching Lisimati Phakamile heading two coaches for juniors and youths.

This new structure is also going to happen to sprints and hurdles and field events. We also implore provinces to have same structures for effective management of our development structures,” said Tagara.

He also believes that Chauke, Nyasango, Makaza, Pasipamire and Nyoni will share their experiences with provincial coaches as developmental programmes cascade to the lower rungs.

Tagara encouraged coaches to sign up for courses.

“A number of capacity development programmes have been lined up for the year and we encourage coaches not to miss these courses. New coaching trends are being developed globally and to be able to produce athletes, who will compete and bring medals at international events, we need coaches who will train them and give athletes proper techniques,” said Tagara.