Zimpapers Logo

Innocent Kurira

[email protected]

VETERAN athletics administrator Themba Mhlophe says Bulawayo is blessed with many talented athletes but lack of support from the corporate world is stifling their growth.

Mhlophe says the province has many talented young athletes who can make it a powerhouse of athletics in Zimbabwe as it was in the 1990s up to 2005. 

“The young crop of athletes have what it takes to be world podium athletes. I have worked with athletes as a coach since 1990 and Iam very confident the crop of athletes we have now can shake the world.

“What l have noticed is lack of support from parents and other stakeholders such as the corporate world,” he said.

Mhlope said there are times when coaches are forced to deep into their pockets to take athletes to competitions.

He said some parents who appreciate that such athletes need to be supported financially, have come on board.

Mhlope said crumbling of clubs has also contributed to the standards of athletics in the city dropping.

He said clubs have come and gone in Bulawayo and these include BMA Fasteners, Dunlop, Coca-Cola, Railstars, Sparrows and Bulawayo Pioneers among others.

“Its sad most of our athletes disappear after school except a few that have gone to South Africa or Botswana where they have joined clubs there,” said Mhlope.

He said except for a few who have joined well established clubs, most join social running clubs in SA because they do not have proper documentation.

Mhlophe said community based initiatives have the potential of assisting in talent development.

“We have 29 wards in Bulawayo with schools, churches, businesses and leaders. If they identify two athletes in each ward and support the two, we already have 58 athletes. From that community based initiatives these athletes can be taken to competitions anywhere in the country and even have wards competitions.

“From wards competitions, we can have a provisional provincial team in conjunction with Bulawayo Athletics Board ready for inter-provincials. Athletics is the cheapest sport to run if residents of Bulawayo  work together,” said Mhlophe.

— @innocentskizoe