Poor base blamed for bad performance

Senior Sports Reporter
RENOWNED athletics coach Bhekizulu Khumalo has attributed Bulawayo’s bad performance at the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) track and field athletics championships to a poor base in long and middle distance athletes.
Khumalo, a sports science lecturer at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust), was speaking during a brief interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday morning as he reviewed the city’s performance during the 2014 edition of the Nash inter-provincial competitions that were held in Marondera on Thursday and Friday.

The City of Kings and Queens, powered by Sparrows Athletics Club athletes, came a decent fifth with 11 gold, nine bronze and five bronze medals.
“Our biggest undoing has been the middle and long distances. We don’t have athletes in those races but I believe if we take a deliberate position to fill those gaps, Bulawayo will take its rightful place as the stronghold of athletics in the country,” said Khumalo.

He was among the middle and long distance coaches who produced a number of runners who made the province a powerhouse in the 1990s and early 2000s. The province was a dominant force nationally and names that come to mind who emerged then include Margaret Mahohoma, Siphulwazi Sibindi, Samu Moyo and Message Mapfumo who all rose to national prominence.

He said there was need for school heads to also take an active interest in athletics so that, where possible, there could be regular competitions throughout the year instead of waiting for the first term only.

“It’s not a case of lack of athletes, no, we have the talent but it’s just how we arrange it. All hope is not lost however as we have athletics people coming back with academies like Juma Phiri and the others. Athletes will get expert training through those academies,” said Khumalo.

Bulawayo’s fifth place finish was a huge leap from their 10th finish (last) at last year’s championships which were held in the capital.
Perennial strugglers Matabeleland North could only manage four gold, seven silver and nine bronze medals and duly finished last while Matabeleland South, an up-and-coming athletics powerhouse were sixth with nine gold, 10 silver and 11 bronze medals.

Matabeleland North have always struggled even during the Youth Games with analysts putting the blame on lack of corporate support and sheer administrative frailties.