Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) has successfully concluded its three day Coaches Education and Certification System (CECS) Level One Course at White City Stadium, a key step in strengthening the country’s coaching base.
A total of 27 coaches completed the programme, with women making up the majority: 15 compared to 12 men. The course was directed by Naaz Coaching Director Phakamile Lisimati, who has been instrumental in aligning local training with modern international standards.
Naaz administrator Manuel Mpofu hailed the turnout as a breakthrough moment for inclusivity in athletics.
“The number of female coaches attending this course is truly commendable and speaks volumes about the growing inclusivity and enthusiasm among women in our sport. We are proud to see women stepping up as key players in the coaching field, bringing fresh perspectives and driving the sport forward,” said Mpofu.
He stressed that certification programmes are more than formalities, describing them as vital to the future of Zimbabwean athletics.
“These certifications are investments in Zimbabwe’s sporting future. By educating and certifying coaches across gender lines, we are building a more diverse and capable pool of mentors for our athletes,” Mpofu said.
The Level One course is part of Naaz’s wider push to raise coaching standards and broaden the technical knowledge available to Zimbabwean athletics. Later this year, the association will host two flagship CECS Level 2 courses in middle and long distance running and in throws, also at White City.
These will be conducted by internationally respected experts including Germany’s Gunter Lange and Mauritius’s Joel Severe.
“Bringing in world class lecturers such as Germany’s Gunter Lange and Mauritius’s Joel Severe is part of our strategic vision to bridge the gap between grassroots and elite athletics. This approach ensures our coaches are equipped with cutting edge knowledge and techniques, benefiting Zimbabwe’s athletes at all levels,” said Mpofu.
Through such initiatives, Naaz continues to position coaching education as the backbone of athletic development, ensuring the next generation of Zimbabwe’s champions will be guided by qualified, well prepared mentors.
