Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ESWATINI-based World Athletics certified coach Muzi Mabuza has applauded the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe for putting sustained energy into coaching development, calling it a foundation that can reshape the sport beyond the track.
Mabuza is in Bulawayo leading a Level Two Sprints and Hurdles coaching course at White City Stadium, a six-day programme that has drawn coaches from across the region and placed Zimbabwe at the centre of a growing conversation about technical excellence in athletics.
The course forms part of Naaz’s long term plan to strengthen Zimbabwean athletics by building a deeper pool of technically sound coaches equipped with advanced skills and modern training knowledge.
Speaking during the sessions, Mabuza praised Naaz for keeping coaching education high on its agenda despite the financial and logistical pressures that often slow progress for sporting bodies in the region. He said investing in knowledge remains the most reliable path to producing elite athletes.
“Naaz is doing something exceptional. Coaching clinics like this one do not only benefit Zimbabwean coaches but also strengthen athletics across Southern Africa. Their commitment to growth is something worth celebrating,” Mabuza said.
The Level Two Sprints and Hurdles course covers advanced biomechanics, training methodology, athlete assessment, periodisation and race strategy. Coaches are taken through a balance of classroom instruction and practical field work, designed to ensure they leave with a clear understanding of how to develop high performance athletes.
Local coaches have welcomed the programme, describing it as a turning point for athletics development in Zimbabwe. Several participants noted that opportunities of this level are rarely available within the region, and having a World Athletics certified expert deliver the course locally marks a significant step forward.
Naaz leadership has underlined that the initiative fits into a broader push to decentralise and professionalise athletics coaching across the country. By increasing the number of qualified coaches in different provinces, the association aims to spot and nurture talent earlier, particularly in communities where athletic ability often goes unnoticed.
The presence of coaches from Botswana and Zambia has added weight to the programme and reflects Zimbabwe’s rising profile as a regional hub for athletics development. Their participation has encouraged collaboration and the sharing of ideas among neighbouring countries.
Mabuza said he was confident the coaches undergoing training would go on to produce athletes capable of competing at continental and international level. He stressed that the strength of any athletics system is determined by the quality and consistency of coaching at grassroots level.
As the course continues, Naaz is optimistic that the knowledge gained will translate into improved performances on the track in coming seasons. The association has indicated plans to roll out more programmes of this nature, widening access to internationally recognised coaching standards.
Bongani Ndlovu