adminMzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
NATIONAL high jump record holder and former Hwange sports officer Juma Phiri has formed an athletics academy that will be housed at his former school Hamilton High, in Bulawayo. The academy, meant to nurture young talent, will be known as Juma Phiri Athletics Academy (J.P.A.A.).
The academy will specialise in training track and field events with athletes aged between the ages of eight and 18 years old their target.
Phiri whose high jump record (2.16m) has been standing since 1998 said his newly formed academy will identify, groom and nurture future athletes.
“As an athlete and a coach I feel standards have gone down over the years. Our aim as an academy is to create a fun and inclusive environment, where a positive experience is an essential outcome, as we would be offering professional coaching to young athletes,” said Phiri.
He said most athletes have chosen to participate in the marathon events because of income and decline participation in other fields.
“We are trying to promote mass participation in athletics, most athletes now choose marathon because of money.
“We need to revive track and field, maybe we can raise one or two athletes for the Zone Six Youth Games next year,” said Phiri.
He said this is an opprtunity to teach the youngsters skills of using sport to empower themselves and to expose them to opportunities that lie in sport.
J.P.A.A. administrator Elizabeth Mpala said they shall be announcing dates for the official launch.
“We are yet to advice on the official launch, as we expect to have very important dignitaries, but we want to start the project first,” said Mpala.
Phiri produced athletes of repute during his tenure as the Hwange Sports Officer and athletics coach.
They also dominated the once prestigious Chamber of Mines competitions.
Online Reporter