Chronicle Editor
Nkosilathi Sibanda, [email protected]
THERE is no room to accommodate age cheats at this year’s schools athletics competitions following the successful launch of a sports competition software that will help curb this malpractice.
This was revealed by Matabeleland North Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC) co-ordinator Newman Masuku in his brief to primary school athletics coaches at the province’s inter-district championships at Nkayi High School last week on Friday.
Masuku said the software came about after a combined effort by the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash), the SRC, and stakeholders in the schools’ sports scene. The new software, Masuku said, will be put to test this week in both the Nash and the National Association of Primary School Heads (Naph) national championships.
Primary schools athletes converge in Masvingo while secondary schools compete in Victoria Falls.
“We have developed what we call the sports competitions software system that will aid in curbing age cheating. It was developed by the National Association of Secondary School Heads and some of their stakeholders.
“It is used as an accreditation point, where the bio-data for all the athletes and officials are captured. It collects their ages, schools, and the competition that the athlete is participating in,” said Masuku.
He added: “The software is also used by the call room officials and the judges.
“We are tired and would like to bring an end to the situation where we have schools that use older athletes or those who have dropped out of school to compete. This kind of practice is a setback in that as we go to other stages of competitions, it explains why as a province we fail.
“This software helps a lot as it is an athlete tracking system and it is a much better source for the database of all athletes by just a click of the button.
It will be a source of reference to all that want to know and verify about athletes.”
Age cheating is rife at schools’ tournaments in the country and this unprofessional conduct is putting a dent in sport development.
At both primary and secondary school levels, athletes are forced by their teachers and coaches to either up or reduce ages in a bid to influence performance outcomes.
The introduction of the bio-data software was seen as a good move in reducing the rampant activity. Last year, schools called upon Nash and Naph to impose heavy fines on those found guilty.-@NkosieLegend
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