adminShamu was guest of honour yesterday as Scuz reached another landmark with the launch of the medical aid partnership with a group of local doctors led by prominent Harare medical practitioner Prosper Chonzi.
Under the scheme, the coaches, their wives and two children under the age of 18 will receive free healthcare services for the next six months as the union seeks to raise enough resources to get their members on medical aid.
Shamu said the Scuz leadership fronted by Moses Chunga has taken visible steps which shows their commitment to the plight of the local coaches, some of whom had no access to medical services.
“The determination and passion shown by the Soccer Coaches Union of Zimbabwe to come up with a medical aid partnership is commendable and is also ample testimony of their deep love for sport,” said Shamu.
“It is pleasing to note that soccer legends like Moses Chunga, Peter Ndlovu, Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo, Adam Ndlovu, Nesbert Saruchera and Amin Soma-Phiri, among others, are at the forefront of this initiative. They deserve the support of everyone.
“We hope that what has been started today will be taken seriously. Our biggest problem is that we don’t support one another when one of us comes up with a good idea.
“Some people are just negative and I urge you that such kind of thinking should not be found among you. The development we witnessed today has never been seen in Zimbabwe and let’s move forward supporting each other.”
Scuz was formed last year and the organisation has taken the domestic scene by storm as they have been actively involved in the welfare of the coaches and assisting their families in times of bereavement.
More than 50 coaches based in Harare attended the launch yesterday and among them were Dynamos’ Calisto Pasuwa, Lloyd Chitembwe, Tonderai Marume, Simon Chuma, Brenna Msiska and Taurai Mangwiro.
Shamu said the concept should also spread to domestic clubs and also include schools were talent is tapped and nurtured.
He urged clubs to form health trust funds into which employees contribute to cater for sports related injuries and other health emergencies.
He said this would enable the teams to maximise their potential on the field as players and officials will not be saddled with bills they cannot afford in the case of injury or about health needs of their families.
“It is our hope that other medical practitioners and health institutions will emulate Dr. Chonzi’s example and team up with our local clubs in providing the medical needs of coaches, players, administrators and club’s medical personnel.
“There are vast opportunities for our local corporate sector and sports clubs to enter into such partnerships for the good of our sporting disciplines.
“The country should explore the need to come up with a national sports welfare policy to set healthcare support standards to guide sports associations, clubs, coaches, officials as well as players in provision of healthcare and support in the field of sport.
“On its part, Government would need to come up with attractive incentives to encourage the corporate sector to support sport,” said Shamu.
The leader of the doctors, Chonzi, said the plight of the coaches has been distressing and they were moved to come into the partnership after realising that several coaches were dying because of lack of medical service and healthcare facilities.
The group comprises of five practitioners who have been involved in sport, including national team doctor Edward Chagonda and Nathan Makanza of Dynamos.
“We have been involved with the coaches for some time now and we are saying we might not have the money now but we have the time to attend to the coaches’ health needs.
“As health professionals we see the bigger picture that coaches are role models and as such they should be seen in good health.
“So we are offering voluntary consultation which includes medical examinations and diagnosis so that when they go back to their teams they should be complete coaches who do not worry about health issues and medical bills.
“We are also offering them easy access to TB treatment and anti-retroviral drugs.
“Right now we have five doctors in Harare but we will spread to other towns. This is just a beginning and we had to start from somewhere,” said Chonzi.
Scuz interim president, Chunga, welcomed the partnership and indicated that he will take a public HIV test to encourage members of his organisation to know their status.
“We have just passed one stage with the launch and what we now want to tackle is the implementation.
“As Scuz we encourage coaches to monitor their health and we will continue to preach about the importance of good health.
“We also want to urge our members to take HIV tests and, as the leader, I will be the first to do that in the presence of the media.
“It’s not something to fear but knowing your status is for the good of your health.
“We also aim to tackle the housing problem affecting our members because a healthy coach has to come from healthy structures,” he added.
Online Reporter