Chronicle Editor
Ellina Mhlanga, Harare Bureau
DESPITE local athletes struggling at the ongoing World Championships in London, National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe director of coaching, talent identification and development, Lisimati Phakamile, has said they remain hopeful of the future.
Five athletes — Cuthbert Nyasango, United States-based Pardon Ndhlovu, Millen Matende, Rutendo Nyahora and Fortunate Chidzivo — participated in the men and women’s marathons on Sunday.
Nyasango could not finish the race after he got injured while the other four had their season best times but could not make it into the top 20.
The best performance from Zimbabwe was position 33 by Ndhlovu in the men’s race.
Phakamile, who travelled with the athletes, said while the results may not be impressive, their long-term plan for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, remained on course.
“It’s improving greatly comparing to Rio, our athletes improved on time and position. They continuously make great strides towards a positive change which we are happy about.
“The Tokyo dream is on course and hope to continue with them, supporting their programmes until we get to the podium finish.
“We are very optimistic about that. We need to prepare in time and intensively. For the marathon we have the facility and (as for) the resources it’s for the NAAZ to look for those funds,” said Phakamile.
Ndhlovu could not beat his Olympic Games time but improved his position from 41 to 33 while Nyahora, who emerged 92nd place in 2 hours 47 minutes 32 seconds in Rio, finished on position 47th this time around in 2 hours 42 minutes 53 seconds, which was quite an improvement for her.
“Matende showed great character and the lack of experience at some points let him down, as he was doing well until the last kilometre of the race,” said Phakamile.
Matende echoed the same sentiments.
“I am very happy to have represented Zimbabwe in such a big competition like this one and I learnt a lot — how others prepare in terms of training, diet during training and towards competition.
“And also the need for enough and systematic training and commitment,” said Matende.
Nyahora said the race was not an easy one and was satisfied by her ability to improve her time.
“My race was okay, I am so happy with my performance comparing to Rio. The competition was not easy, there were few ladies but it was tough competition,” said Nyahora.
Zimbabwe still has a long way to go to get podium performances at international competitions.
And the fact that there were no track and field athletes that qualified for the meet also points to the need for the national association and other stakeholders to invest in the sport to complement the athletes’ effort.
Zimbabwe has won just one medal at the World Championships, coming from Ngoni Makusha in 2011, when he took bronze in long jump.
The team is expected back home on Friday.
Online Reporter