The KD approach

Brighton Zhawi
A 17-YEAR old girl from Rusape’s Gandanzara village is using the same approach that worked for National Basketball Association star player Kevin Durant.

Durant, who plays for Golden State Warriors, says one of the secrets to success was his mother who used to wake him up for a morning run every day during his formative years. It paid off KD, he is now a big star who earns big money. Zimbabwe has a rising athletics star who is being propelled by a loving mother.

Vimbai Maisvoreva is yet to reach the stars but the 17-year-old credits her qualification for the IAAF World Under 18 Championships – set for Kenya in July – to the support she gets from her mother. “She is my rock. Mum works me up every day for the morning run and on the days I feel a little bit lazy she uses some force,” revealed Maisvoreva who will also represent hosts Zimbabwe at this week’s Confederation of Southern African School Sports Associations (COSASSA) Games.

The regional competition explodes to life at the National Sports Stadium on Thursday and Maisvoreva is clear on what she intends to achieve. “I am aiming for gold in all my events that is in 800m and 400m. My focus is on Cosassa at the moment, after that I can switch my mind to Kenya.

“Everyone is expecting me to do well and those expectations are pushing me to work hard, I have to give it my all to beat my 800 meters personal best time of two minutes and 12 second,” she said.

The starlet once despised athletics but as doors slowly open, Maisvoreva appreciates that her legs can ferry her to a better life.

“At Chinhamahuma Primary School I was interested in athletics, I saw it as hardwork but the teachers kept pushing me.

“But it has all changed now. I believe athletics will change my life. However, as much as I work hard towards improving my times I am also putting in effort in class, I want to pass my Ordinary level examinations to enhance my chances of getting a scholarship,” she said.