Clive Thabo Dube
Sports Reporter
IHLOSI Athletics Academy has implored the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) to work hand in hand with local academies for the country to be able to shine at the world stage.
Ihlosi Athletics Academy is a Bulawayo based athletics club which was founded in the year 2013 by Benson Mwanza, who is also the head coach. The academy uses Sobukazi High School as its training ground.
The founder and head coach of Ihlosi Athletics Academy told Zim GBC News, that NAAZ has to come down to grassroots level if it wants to improve the level standards of athletics in the country.
“Zimbabwe athletics has a potential to improve if the association works hands in hand with the up and coming academies. Also if they engage with the government and identify the areas of improvement. We still have a long way to go but we can improve.” Said Benson Mwanza.
According to Mwanza, due to financial constraints, the country’s athletics fraternity becomes forced to use neighboring countries facilities to participate for international and regional qualifications. The sport code also lacks adequate resources which hinders the country to outperform other nations at Olympics.
“In total honest, we’re still far from shining at the Olympics as Zimbabwe athletics. Home based athletes lack support in terms of preparation. We can’t be depending on our neighboring countries facilities for us to partake in qualifications. We don’t have electronic timers of our own that we can constantly use week in week out. That affects us as the athletics fraternity, It’s really hard to see our athletes shining
“The Athletics family needs to continue working hard, not only on training grounds but on the management and the running of the athletics association sector. We need investments into our lovely sport, and we also need a better infrastructure and electronic timers for our events. The talent is there but the support is minimal.” He added.
Ihlosi Athletics Academy is known for producing high quality athletics within the city of Bulawayo. Many of these athletes range from junior level to senior level. While putting in long hours in the track to improve in the sport, they are also balancing school hours.
“We have produced notable athletes from junior level to the senior level. These athletes include Sipho Moyo who has dominated for a long time in the 400m but is currently on injury, Busani Ndlovu currently at BUSE, Brandon Moyo, Sukoluhle Mlalalazi. We also have produced Hilary Nkala Currently at NUST, Mncedisi Khumalo who also dominated the 400m alongside Sipho. As well as Kwanele Moyo who at some point was one of top athletes in the 1500m in Bulawayo and the country as well. We also have the likes of Ronald Muchichwa a 400m athlete who for a long time was a part of the club, but he however now is under a different club. Not forgetting Nathan Ncube and Nathan.S. Ncube our former athletes who dominated for sometime in the middle distance.” Said Mwanza.
According to Mwanza, the mission is to “identify talent and produce world class athletes” by keeping them away from the streets.
“We intend to keep young talents away from the streets and groom them to their best potential. We would be proud as a club to see our athletes representing Zimbabwe at big events such as the Olympics or the world champions.” He also said.
Ihlosi Athletics Academy this year aims to have a number of athletes representing the club in all provinces across the country and the neighboring countries such as Botswana, South Africa and Namibia. Also to attract a lot of sponsorship and investment.
–Zim GBC News2023