Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango-Zimpapers Sports Hub
WARRIORS and Simba Bhora’s Lenon Gwara is investing in specialised equipment costing as much as US$40 000 per unit as he targets a 2027 opening for a sports massage and recovery clinic designed to address injury prevention and conditioning gaps in Zimbabwean sport.
The facility will cater for athletes across sporting disciplines, with Gwara saying the project has moved from planning to implementation through the acquisition of equipment.
Compression boots and normatec cryotherapy equipment are among the equipment being acquired, while a hyperbaric oxygen chamber is also targeted for the clinic.
“The project has already kicked off with the purchasing of state-of-the-art equipment,” said Gwara.
“This is a very big project which requires significant investment because some of the equipment we have targeted costs between US$30 000 and US$40 000.
“But the exciting thing is being able to provide such a medical centre, which will accommodate all athletes, not just footballers.”
Gwara expects the clinic to become operational in 2027 after completing the necessary regulatory processes.
The certified World Sports Massage instructor and sports therapy specialist said his experiences during the past five years in football had highlighted the need for greater emphasis on injury prevention locally.
“The data I have accumulated over the past five years in football has shown me that the local medical fraternity needs to grow in terms of injury prevention,” he said.
“So many teams struggle with players suffering from minor injuries that could be prevented with the right conditioning and recovery systems.
“My experience with European clubs and players has also helped me understand that injury prevention is important and can be less costly than rehabilitation.”
Gwara has undergone training attachments in Spain, where he was exposed to conditioning and recovery systems used by European clubs. He credited Scottland president Scott Sakupwanya for supporting his instructor qualification and sponsoring his tour of Spanish clubs.
“It was an eye-opener seeing how big the sports therapy industry is in Europe and the technology they are using in conditioning and recovery,” said Gwara.
“We have a lot of catching up to do, but we can learn from what they are doing and develop our own industry.”
He added,
“The vision is not limited to footballers. This facility will accommodate everyone,” he said.
“Injuries will always be one of an athlete’s biggest challenges, and if we can minimise them, we give athletes a better opportunity to fulfil their potential.
“Pre-treatment and post-treatment are important for the next performance. We are the mechanics behind successful athletes, so we need the right tools to look after them.
