NAAZ shift focus to growth

Zimpapers Sports Hub

RETURNING National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendayi Tagara is looking at continuous growth and increasing numbers of athletes to participate in major competitions as he begins another four-year term of office at the helm of the athletics mother body.

Tagara officially retained the presidency of NAAZ having been unopposed in the run-up to the association’s annual meeting in Gweru on Saturday.

The NAAZ boss will also continue to work with his team after the trio of second vice-president Siphatisiwe Machaya, treasurer Enock Ngwenya and secretary-general Cynthia Phiri also secured re-election.

They will be joined by new first vice-president Walter Zimusi in the boardroom.

Tagara said the faith shown in the members of his executive was a testament of the confidence the athletics family has in their leadership based on the results produced.

“It’s confidence in our leadership and trust from the people. We have results,” said Tagara.

The NAAZ president noted that the development programmes they have implemented over the years are paying dividends.

He highlighted some of the achievements under his leadership including the performance by sprinters — Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The two United States-based athletes reached the men’s 200m final on their Olympic debut.

It was the first time Zimbabwe had two athletes in the 200m final.

He also pointed out marathon runner, Isaac’s Mpofu’s top 10 finish at the World Championships in 2022. He finished 10th in Eugene, Oregon, United States.

Mpofu was also part of Team Zimbabwe at the Olympics and placed 19th.

NAAZ also had several juniors making the cut for this year’s World Under-20 Championships that were held in Lima, Peru, in August.

“Makarawu and Charamba are direct results of our development programmes in and out of the school system.

“We have developed coaches in schools who are the custodians of our cadets (15 years and under), youths that are the Under-18 and juniors, the Under-20.

“We are very clear of what we are doing with little resources. The economy is tough, but we manage.

“In terms of performance, it was Makarawu and Charamba’s first Olympics, first to reach finals at their first Olympics.

“Out of 214 countries of athletics only the USA and Zimbabwe had more than one athlete in the men’s 200m finals at the Olympics.

“Mpofu was in the top 10 at the World Championships.

“This year it’s the first time for Zimbabwe to have eight athletes qualifying for World Junior Championships.

“We had a podium at the Africa Senior Championships and a podium at the African Games.

“And a record number of athletes qualifying for scholarships to USA…And my philosophy of not handling partners has built confidence with partners,” said Tagara.

Tagara said they need to build on those achievements, and they are looking at hosting events and grow the numbers of athletes that qualify for major competitions such as the World Championships and Olympic Games.

“Hosting international competitions is key. Our plan is to make sure we host international events starting with regional competitions.

“And to have more athletes qualifying for World Championships and Olympics… We are also looking at the Kids Athletics programme, school athletics,” said Tagara.

In winning through into the leadership echelons, Zimusi shrugged off the challenges of Enias Nhoro and Njere Shumba for the first vice president post after he got 13 votes during the election.

Nhoro got five and Shumba received three votes.

Treasurer Ngwenya retained his post unopposed while secretary-general Phiri got 16 votes to beat Precious Tarakino, who polled five.

William Chuwa and Russel Chimhare withdrew from the race to become secretary-general.