Athletes, coaches urged to up game

FOLLOWING the first national track and field meet held over the weekend in Harare, National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe director-in-charge of youth Briad Nhubu has challenged athletes and coaches to up their game.

This year is important for the youth as they have the African Youth Games and Youth Olympic Games in July and October.

The continental Games in July in Algeria will serve as the qualifier for Youth Olympics scheduled for October in Argentina.

Nhubu was part of the officials who attended Sunday’s season-opening event that had about 150 athletes including juniors competing in various track and field events at the National Sports Stadium’s B Arena.

He has held two camps with some of the 14 short-listed athletes for the Games, but has indicated there is still room for inclusion of other athletes who would have proved themselves.

“I can say as a coach there is a lot of zeal to participate. I think young athletes are taking on board athletics seriously.

“However, in terms of preparations most of them have shown that their preparation was not done as per expectation looking at the running action, the running style actually. Most of the athletes displayed a poor running style and also even the technical know-how of how to run certain events.

“It has actually reflected that a lot has to be done in terms of perfecting them if ever they are going to be good athletes for competitive events.

“Basically it’s a good platform for the youths and the juniors, those who aspire to qualify for World Championships lined up for this year,” said Nhubu.

Nhubu said it is now up to the coaches to ensure they work on perfecting their athletes’ techniques.

With the African Youth Games and Youth Olympics coming, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee vice president Thabani Gonye was part of the officials at the event to have an insight of what is happening on the ground.

Gonye said after putting their own structures in place with the appointment of the chefs de mission they are now looking at the structures national associations are putting in place to facilitate for their athletes’ participation and qualification.

The National Olympic Committee announced the chefs de mission for the Games last year with one of their two vice presidents Kirsty Coventry set to lead Team Zimbabwe to the Youth Olympics.

Sebastian Garikayi is the chef de mission for the African Youth Games.

Gonye, who has a strong background in athletics, acknowledged the national association’s efforts to have more competitions locally and said it only needs to be sustained throughout the year to maintain the momentum.