Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) has advised stakeholders wishing to hold events not to flout standard operating procedures set by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) by first seeking clearance.
Speaking ahead of the Naaz annual general meeting set for today in Gweru, the association’s president Tendai Tagara said there are many risks in holding unsanctioned races.
“Once again, the national athletics association would like to advise companies, charity organisations and anyone who would like to organise any athletics event to seek clearance first from the association.
This is to safeguard the athletes and the organisers. This time of the year and beginning of year we expect many races.
When things are fine, people do not value the need for seeking clearance, but when a mishap takes place, the blame game comes in,” said Tagara.
“The Government through the SRC will ask Naaz to respond. We have living examples of people who were killed, seriously injured or permanently disabled due to accidents that happen during races.
There are people organising races in the name of charity, fun runs, or aerobic walks, remember race walking is under our mandate so people must seek clearance.”
He warned athletes to turn down invites for races that are not cleared by Naaz.
“We have 100 percent support from Government through the SRC to discipline those who do not seek clearance.
Under Covid-19, such people will be risking our athletes’ lives,” said Tagara.
The impact of Covid-19 in athletics and the 2022 calendar will be discussed at the AGM.
It will also look into constitutional and strategic plan review, spell out junior development programmes for 2022 as well as plan for the World Championships and Africa senior national championships. — @ZililoR
Online Reporter