Sport Pilgrim
A COACH’S AGONY – OVERWEIGHT PLAYERS
THE men’s competitions especially football have been gradually getting back on their feet. Unfortunately, the women’s leagues have remained dormant with no or less activities.
The latest news of Zambia women national team coach Bruce Mwape declaring that most players who are in camp for the COSAFA Championship preparations are overweight have come as a worry to many especially at this time when women football is on its steady rise.
Coach Mwape attributed the problem to lack of training during the “lockdown” period. But as sports women is this justifiable?
We might definitely give them a benefit of doubt that this Covid-19 period has been the most difficult period in world sports history, it has never been as difficult as this getting into the gym.
One question we should however ask, is why our players seem to find themselves in such situations?
Firstly, diet has been an issue for our sports men and women in our country. We don’t seem know what they should or should not eat. In the past, we have heard how some of our players have failed to shine in foreign clubs because they could not look into their eating habits.
I believe all of the players in the women’s team are attached to clubs hence, they should have been guided especially at a time like this. Clubs need to engage with these ladies to teach them about how best they can improve on their diet.
In as much as we would want to blame the clubs, the players must also learn to be disciplined off the pitch. They do not need to have the coach on their back to remain in top shape.
Such a period requires discipline and our women should have been more careful not to land in such a situation which could see Zambia failing to perform in the upcoming matches.
Issues of diet, reduction on alcohol intake and individual workouts must become part of our athletes if they are to succeed. Teams must invest in employing dieticians to help their players.
Some have failed before and we wouldn’t want more to fail. Let’s maintain individual discipline and commitment. We can surely do it.
At this stage, the coach should not be in a hurry to declare that they team will grab the COSAFA title because he has two weeks to ensure they shed off the weight. Hope the job will be done in 14 days’ time. We continue chatting via gracechaile21@gmail.com