Sinokubonga Nkala
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
VETERAN athletics coach Vusa Mlilo has highlighted the need for athletics to be active throughout the year in schools.
Mlilo believes having athletics competitions in the first term only hinders the development of young athletes.
“The tall order for athletics right now is that athletics only happens one term, and the rest of the year, there is nothing.
“In the past, we have lost athletes to other sports because athletics is just for the first term at most schools. In our own small way, we would like to see the kids run all year round. This way we will get the best talent from our schools,” said Mlilo.
Mlilo was speaking at the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) Level One and Two coaching courses at White City Stadium last week.
The courses, which were attended by 36 coaches, mostly teachers from secondary and primary schools, aimed at equipping them with the necessary skills to identify and develop young talent, were a success.
“We ran two courses simultaneously, Level One and Level Two. The participants were mostly teachers from both secondary and primary schools. Despite the heat wave, the course was a success, and all 36 coaches who took part passed. It’s crucial that we train our teachers, as they’re the ones who work with young talent. With proper training, they can easily identify an athlete’s strengths at a young age and help them develop into top-quality athletes,” said Mlilo.
Naaz is shifting its focus to the upcoming new season, set to begin in January.
Following mixed fortunes in the 2024 season, the national association will be hoping to build on the successes and improve in the lacking areas.
The athletics season in Bulawayo will open with the traditional Cross-Country Championships at Mpopoma Park on 11 January followed by the Provincial Cross-Country Championships on 25 February in all 10 provinces.
The national finals will take place in Harare on 22 February.
The first national track and field event will be held at White City Stadium on 1 March followed by the Naaz Open Track and Field Championships at the same venue on 22 March.
The Naaz Junior Championships, which will serve as a selection meet for the AUSC Region Five games, is scheduled for White City Stadium on 12 April.
The Bulawayo Athletics Board (Bab) will retain some of its major long-distance events, including the Matopos 33-Miler, Liquor Hub 10km Fun Run, Zimbabwe School of Mines marathon, and the CiMas iGo Marathon later in the year.
There are efforts to introduce the Bulawayo Half-Marathon in the first third of the year. On the international front, Zimbabwe is set to participate in the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, in May, as well as the Under-18/20 African Championships in Madagascar.
The World Championships will take place in Tokyo, Japan, in September.
Meanwhile, Bab will conclude the 2024 calendar year on a high note as they play host to the Liquor Hub 10km Fun Run and their awards ceremony for the past season on 22 December.
The Fun Run is scheduled to take place in the morning, followed by the awards ceremony in the evening. The ninth edition of the Liquor Hub 10km Fun Run Charity Race will offer lucrative prize money to the winners.
The men’s and women’s winners will each receive R3 500. The top three finishers in the junior men’s and women’s categories will receive R1 250, R800, and R600, respectively. Additionally, the top two finishers in the male and female wheelchair sections will receive R1 500 and R1 000, respectively.
During the awards ceremony, athletes will receive awards in various categories, including Best Long-Distance Athlete, Best Senior Women’s and Men’s Athlete, and Best Middle-Distance Runner.
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