adminTHE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe director of coaching, talent identification and development, Pakamile Lisimati, is a man on a mission who wants to see the rise and rise of his passion, athletics. In an interview conducted a fortnight ago at Gwanda High School in Gwanda Town, where he teaches physical education, the man exuded so much love for the sport, and in fact to put it bluntly, the man sounded like he eats, sleeps and dreams athletics.
The excerpts of the two-part interview:
When was he appointed?
I was appointed into office as director in March 2013. I have successfully completed my first year as director. I’m actually impressed by my performance and I am happy, I have made a positive impact and contribution towards the association’s performance, so far looking at the new executive that is in office.
What is his task as director?
My task is to direct the coaching structures of the association, assist in the development of these coaches in terms of training, apprenticeship and involvement and also identify talent, select athletes to represent the country in whatever events that are there from cadet to seniors to veterans and all other departments that need identification and selection.
What have been the benefits of the decision by NAAZ to stage athletics events almost every week?
First of all, we have actually been able to increase the number of participation in athletics by Zimbabweans, those able bodied and even those with a disability, because our competitions also encompass the disabled athletes. We have increased the number of athletes participating in international events and I am very very happy to also pick out or single out the latest Zimbabwean record that was shattered by Cuthbert Nyasango. I think we can factorise that from the increased participation and the number of competitions in the country.
Any notable further progress?
Definitely we are seeing stiff competition coming up; we are seeing good times being posted by athletes just like Cuthbert Nyasango did break the Zimbabwean record a month ago. Youngsters Philemon Dlodlo of Matabeleland South had the best time of 10,56s in 100m using the electronic timer.
Interest generated from regular participation?
We have actually been able to motivate our athletes into participating, I think it’s because of exposing them to more competitions regional and international, now these kids know that athletics is the main, or backbone of all other sports. And that performing exceptionally well in athletics can take one to places especially looking at the scholarship chances that these guys need in going abroad.
The negative issue of underfunding?
Unfortunately my association is not spared from the financial problems. I am happy to say we as an association in conjunction or partnership with the parents of the athletes that we work with, the companies where the senior athletes come from, and the corporate world as a whole, we have been able to tackle this problem of finance and we have been able to send all our athletes to almost all major events regionally and internationally without any major hiccups. We have been able to send our athletes to the Southern Region Junior Championships, Southern Region Youth Championships; we are also sending a team to the World Junior Championships in the United States. We have been able to send a team to Donetsk, Ukraine with the assistance of the corporate world and parents. We sent a team last year to the World Championships with the assistance of the corporate world. I hope we will still continue working hand and glove with these guys, and we are actually looking at the World Junior Championships in Eugene, Oregon in the United States next month that are coming up and the China event (World Youth Championships) where we have athletes who have qualified for that.
His appeal?
I would just want to maybe send my appeal to the corporate world and the parents especially to help their athletes, to help their children to perform well by supporting them as much as they could assist them in whatever sports other than athletics but I prefer athletics first, but in whatever sport because we are coming to the age where sport pays, sport is a way of living and if the kids are talented let’s expose them. And also my appeal to the new Ministry (of Sport), it will be difficult for them to start by funding all associations and taking them to the rosy situation where we all expect in just one year, but also say let’s treat athletics, let’s treat sport as an industry and lets also lure investors to come in. Let us waiver the sponsorship from the corporate world that we get local and from abroad. Let’s invite these guys to come in. Let’s invite the coaches to come in and assist us like before.
His credidentials?
I have done a lot of courses. To pick the highest ones I have as a coach, I am a coaching lecturer with the IAAF. I also have the Level Three coaching course attained in Kenya, a diploma in coaching with the University of Semmelweis in Hungary, a diploma in international coaching in track and field events, while I’m also a qualified officiating official.
His wish?
First of all as a person I want to change the colour of Zimbabwe sport, specifically athletics’ performance. I want Zimbabwe to be a stronghold in athletics, firstly my home area Matabeleland South to be one of the most feared provinces in athletics. I also want Zimbabwe to be accorded the respect that they deserve in terms of athletics. I want to go to a competition where people will ask, is Zimbabwe there just like how they ask if Kenya and Ethiopia are there? Finally I want my association maybe from 2020 onwards at least to have athletes fighting for a slot or spot at the Olympics. We want more than 20 athletes to represent the country at the Olympics. We want 20, 30, or 40 athletes from Zimbabwe, from Harare, Bulawayo or elsewhere to make sure they better their times and be fighting for a seat on the plane. It should be an issue of fighting for a seat on the plane, not for a slot at the Olympics, where we are saying Zimbabwe is producing 20 A standard athletes for the Olympics, and all these athletes should be sent at the IAAF expense with the Association not forking out anything. That is our goal.
His appeal to the veteran athletes?
I just wish they could come back and retire back home, join NAAZ structures whether formally or informally in shaping, moulding and teaching the young ones that are going up and out on what to expect and what is the way forward. These are the only guys that can tell us how it should be.
These guys Brian Dzingai, Ngoni Makusha, Cuthbert Nyasango, are the rightful people that can mould and mentor our athletes to those levels. My appeal to them is guys come back, back to your country, provinces, and districts or even just form clubs and mentor these guys (athletes). They can also come in and assist us as their leaders on what we are doing wrong to them as athletes, and how we can shape or improve for better performances for our athletes. Because if they don’t tell us as bosses, managers, coaches, (that) you miss it here when we are abroad, you miss it there when we are athletes, we will always remain groping in the dark. But we are appealing to them to come back home, assist us in moulding these guys, and tell us the wrongs and the rights that we are making as coaches and managers.
Online Reporter