Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe are stepping up their pre-season preparations with several international coaching and officiating courses lined up for November and December.
The athletics mother body will hold the Coaches Education and Certification System (CECS) Level One, Technical Officials Education and Certification System (TOECS) Level One, Middle and Long-Distance Level Two, Sprint and Hurdles Level Two and Jumps Level Two.
The courses are in preparation for the 2027 season and will be held in Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru.
Some of the courses will be facilitated by World Athletics appointed lecturers — Gunter Lange from Germany and Muzi Bongani Mabuza from Eswatini.
The courses will also cater for participants drawn from schools as they work with most of the young up and coming athletes.
Naaz president Tendai Tagara said the courses remain important in laying a strong foundation for the new season that takes off early in the year.
And with a number of continental and international meets lined up for the year, they would want to ensure their members are ready.
“The first preparation should be for coaches and officials, so that before closing schools they impart the knowledge to their athletes.
“A strong foundation is determined by a big preparation phase which we want to be long from November to January. By end of January the athletes should be in pre-competition phase.
“This will ensure athletes last the 2027 gruelling athletics season that will culminate with the World Championships in Beijing, China in September.
“Our juniors have the Africa Juniors in Algeria,” said Tagara.
“So, from Maputo in December this year there is no time to rest. Most of the athletes will join their clubs for pre-season training, either in Zimbabwe, Botswana or South Africa.”
Some of the youth athletes are up for the African union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games due to take place from December 4 to 13 in Mozambique.
“I am happy more coaches are joining and now understand the importance of qualifying as coaches.
“We have decentralised the courses to cover Harare, Bulawayo and Midlands.
“We are expecting full classes for Level One courses. We have also lined up Level Two courses where we are expecting World Athletics appointed lecturers to fly into Zimbabwe,” Tagara said.
Harare will host the CECS and TOECS Level One from November 27 to 29 at Prince Edward School.
It will be followed by the Starters Level One on December 5 and 6 at the same venue.
Bulawayo will host the same course on the same dates at White City Stadium. The CECS and TOECS Level One will also take place at White City Stadium from December 4 to 6.
The same venue will host the Middle and Long-Distance Level Two from November 27 to December 2, the Sprint and Hurdles Level Two from December 3 to 8 and Jumps Level Two scheduled for December 14 to 19.
For Midlands, Gweru will host the CECS and TOECS Level One from December 18 to 20.
