Payne traces roots
FORMER Zimbabwe 400m records holder Arnold Payne, who is now based in the United States of America was in Mutare where he held a speed, strength and conditioning course for local rugby players.
The conditioning course was held at Mutare Sports Club.
Over 120 athletes attended the course. Payne, who represented the country at the All Africa Games, Commonwealth and World Championships in the late 90s, said the initiative was part of his efforts to give back to the community that nurtured him.
He said: “Coming to help Zimbabwe rugby is one of the greatest contributions in my life. I was born and bred in Mutare. My mother was born at a farm in Nyazura. We stayed in Florida when my father was working at the Zimbabwe Forestry Commission. I trace my roots to Mutare”.
Payne said speed, strength and conditioning are important for every athlete as it levels the playing field amongst elite teams around the world.
“Sports and conditioning has to be a part of the athlete’s day-to-day training. It is supposed to be done consistently if athletes want to be successful,” he said.
He also encouraged all local athletes to work hard and to be focused in life.
“Coming from Zimbabwe as a young high school athlete and ending up in the United States of America and running against the best runners in the world is a great achievement for me. I was so focused and I believed in myself.
My encouragement to the young and upcoming athletes is not to give up. Do not under any circumstances give up .You fight, you train and you will achieve what you want in life.
It does not matter what circumstances you are in, I did it while I was still in Zimbabwe and you can also do it. You can as well achieve what you want and better than I have achieved,” he said.
Payne is the founder of the Payne Global Sports Management International, an USA based organization which provides a competitive platform for upcoming athletes. It gives exposure through scholarships to study in America.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Aaron Jani and his deputy Losson Mutongwazi were part of the proceedings at Mutare Sports Club.