Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube in KIGALI, Rwanda
ZIMBABWE’S recent fine performances on the athletics track appear to have hit the jackpot.
Agents and event organisers have flooded the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, eager to sign the athletes or have them run at their events in Europe.
This is a breakthrough for local athletics.
In Zimbabwe, the track and field events do not pay. Road running athletes have made a living out of their talents while track masters have survived on the benevolence of companies that offer jobs, others token sponsorship or prospered on the goodwill of friends and family.
It has been a while since home-based athletes were involved in African.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) president, Tendai Tagara, and national coach, Phakamile Lisimati, believe the attention has been earned.
Tagara is full of praise for his locally-based runners who won two silver medals, bronze and a second gold medal at the African Senior African Championships in Accra, Ghana.
Of the foreign-based athletes, Ashley Miller was the only one to win silverware with a second place finish in the 100m hurdles.
Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba, whose presence had been in doubt in the team for Accra, confirmed their participation late and later went on to drop out citing injuries.
They were the country’s hopefuls in both the 100 and 200m events
Tagara said the 4x400m relay team members deserved to win gold.
“It was not by chance, it was planned and the athletes executed well. Some will be going to Europe, we have been receiving calls from agents who want them to come and race in Europe.
“That is where the money is, we have been saying that,” said Tagara.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by local athletes who run without any remuneration.
“Now that they have got this platform, they can make money,” said Tagara.
There are good appearance fees for athletes and bonuses for good performances.
For almost two months the 4x400m relay team laboured in Southern Africa seeking qualification.
They were rewarded when their 3 minutes 00.69 seconds became the national record and 13th fastest of the qualifying window of the World Relays in Botswana two weeks ago.
At the World Relays, they became immortals of their generation running a 2 minutes 59.01 seconds in the 4x400m relay and new national record.
They finished fifth at the Worlds and went hunting in Ghana where they won gold.
This is the second time that a Zimbabwe men’s 4x400m relay team has won gold at continental level in the relays.
They first won the title way back in 2004 in Congo Brazzaville when a Talkmore Nyongani-led team conquered the continent in the men’s 4x400m relay.
To cap a fine year for the locally-based sprinters Dennis Hove timed 44.92 seconds to clinch silver in the 400m final in Accra.
Leeford Zuze won bronze in 45.03.
Another sprinter, Thandazani Ndhlovu, reached the 400m final and finished with a time of 45.38s.
Methembe Tshuma, Samukeliso Ndebele and Makarawu also reached the semi-finals of the Africa Senior Championships.
The 4x100m team of Tshuma, Ngoni Makusha, Gerren Muwishi and Charamba reached the final of the event but could not race as the latter pulled out at the 11th hour citing injury.
Coach Lisimati said the journey was not smooth but praised the boys for believing themselves for all the success achieved this year.
“It’s been hectic with the boys. They deserve the attention they are getting and they have been the sport’s great ambassadors,” said Lisimati.
