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Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) president Tendai Tagara is hopeful that the Chamber of Mines Championships which were the backbone of athletics in the country back in the day can be revived.
Back then the Chamber of Mines was a premier athletics event which saw the best of athletes in the country participating at the games.
The athletes fought for titles as individuals and for their mines as some of them were paid incentives in the form of bonuses back at work. It was often the last competition on the domestic scene before the All-Africa Games, Olympics or Commonwealth hence attracted a lot of attention.
After winning the Chamber of Mines Championships one would enjoy an exalted status in the village.
Tagara says they have been motivated by mines getting involved in sport and they believe it is possible to revive the games.
“The fact that we have mines supporting football, gives us hope they can also assist us in the athletics field. Ngezi Platinum, Vumbachikwe, Mimosa, Makomo, Hwange, Unki Mines are among some of the mines that have continued to show interest in athletics. Once we manage to have the event back, our athletics will have a platform to compete at a higher level. We have not given up on having the games back because we understand the importance of having this event. Stars were born during those games and we want to have that back,” said Tagara.
He said this in Bulawayo where they are hosting a number of coaching courses at White City Stadium.
“As an association we are happy we have managed to host three very important courses. We had Level One, Level Two and micro-cycle which is the highest level of training on how coaches should come up with programmes. We are more than happy at equipping our coaches who are responsible for giving us the next best athletes,” said Tagara.
He also gave his take on the country’s hopes ahead the World Championships later in the month.
“We are hoping to perform well at the World Championships. Our athletes are in good shape and we look forward to the games,” said Tagara.
The World Championships are due to take place from August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary. Zimbabwe are going to field four athletes — three marathon runners — Isaac Mpofu, Ngonidzashe Ncube (men’s marathon) and Fortunate Chidzivo in the women’s category. They will be joined by United States-based sprinter Tapiwa Makarawu who qualified for the 200m.
The qualification window for events is now closed and the focus has been on ensuring the athletes are ready for the competition. The marathon runners have been in camp in Harare under the guidance of head coach for middle and long distance Benson Chauke while Makarawu has been working at his base. — @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter