Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BOUYED by the performance of their long-distance runners, the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe have set their sights on increasing the numbers which represent the country in the marathon on the global stage.
NAAZ believe that with more runners, Zimbabwe could attain success on the big stages.
Zimbabwe have regularly had marathon runners at the World Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games with Isaac Mpofu the torch bearer.
Mpofu placed 10th at last month’s World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, where he featured alongside debutant Tendai Zimuto and veteran female athlete Fortunate Chidzivo.
It was the second time that Mpofu had come 10th at the Championships.
After the meet in Japan, NAAZ believe they can build on the trio’s performance and grow the numbers that represent Zimbabwe.
NAAZ revealed plans to bring in more distance runners to be part of the national camps which they hold to prepare athletes for major competitions.
Seasoned coach Benson Chauke, who was appointed head of the national event coaches for middle and long-distance runners is in charge of the camps.
Chauke has also been working with Mpofu since 2022 while Zimuto joined them last year.
NAAZ president Tendayi Tagara told Zimpapers Sport that they are looking at bringing in more marathon runners to join Mpofu and Zimuto in their quest to produce results in long-distance events.
“We have quite a number of marathon runners who are there, we want to bring in three more athletes.
“Three to four athletes, elite marathon runners into the same squad as Isaac Mpofu, so that we have a pack of five or six fighting for three slots at the World Championships. That is the competition we want,” said Tagara.
Mpofu first registered his top 10 finish at the 2022 championships in Oregon, United States.
Tagara, however, said they need other coaches to embrace their efforts and release their athletes when it comes to national duty.
“We want other coaches to appreciate, whether they like it or not, that Chauke is a top marathon coach.
“That’s his strength. And other coaches must support by releasing their own athletes to work with him.
“If we identify athletes to work with Chauke, it doesn’t mean they are owned by Chauke.
“He is the head coach for the marathon.
“They must go, if it is for five months of training or three months of training, they must go and work because the focus is national glory, not club glory.
“We want coaches to understand that our focus is Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
“We are now working on women again. We need women to be at the Olympics as well and at the World Championships in 2027,” said Tagara.
As part of the strategy to grow their numbers, NAAZ are looking at strengthening their home-grown solutions and partnerships with the uniformed forces.
They also want to work more closely with their counterparts in neighbouring countries such as Botswana and Zambia.
“When I talk of home-grown solution, we must train and compete within Zimbabwe and in the region.
