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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
A ten-year-old Nestle Zimbabwe physical education athlete sustained swollen genitals after being stung by a tick during day one of the National Association of Primary School Heads (Naph) athletics competitions that were held at Trojan Mine Stadium last Wednesday and Thursday.

The young athlete, from Masenyane Primary School in Matabeleland North, had to be treated in Chegutu and Bulawayo.

He becomes a victim of poor planning by Naph leadership who dumped the athletes in the scorching sun and thickets at Trojan Mine Stadium during day one of the competition.

An official from Naph, Elton Sinyosi  told this publication, when asked why the main attraction of the event were being given second class treatment, that there was nowhere else for the athletes to sit as the area with shade and terraces was reserved for officials.

However the area was also full of non-officiating school heads who had come enmasse to the competitions.

Naph Matabeleland North chairperson, Charles Ndiweni confirmed that one of his athletes was bitten and taken to Chegutu and Bulawayo health centres.

“He started complaining of pain while we were already on the road back home and we had to stop at Chegutu where we took him to the clinic there but the nurse said he needed a qualified doctor. He then gave us some painkillers and we proceeded to Bulawayo,” said Ndiweni.

He said when they got to Bulawayo the youngster was taken to the hospital.

“The doctor confirmed that the swelling was synonymous with tick bites but it was made worse by forcibly removing the tick where it was clinging. He then injected the boy,” said Ndiweni.

He said the injection seemed to do the trick with the boy arriving safely in his rural home of Lupane.

There has been a general discontent among teachers and some concerned heads on the running of sport at primary school level with calls growing that sports directors and or physical education teachers should be at the forefront as they have the skill and qualifications.

Some teachers are already advocating for a sports directors or physical education teachers association although there is still debate on whether the association should affiliate to Naph or engage with the Sports and Recreation Commission directly.