National sports associations set to rebound for better

10 Apr, 2016 - 00:04 0 Views

The Sunday News

Joseph Mungwari
IT is of paramount importance for National Sports Associations not only to embrace the thrust of the Minister of Sports and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane, but also all related social partners in sport.

The Minister has a vision of his own and believes that sports and recreation has been allowed for too long to drift to a certain dead end. His revelation is that there is what he calls structural misalignment in sport and recreation.

On 11 January 2016 I had an opportunity to attend an address by Honorable Hlongwane at a Polytechnic College in Gweru, where he met with Midlands Province sports Associations and stakeholders. What was informing about his address is that, sports and recreation was now being given its due attention at ministerial level than ever before.

The changes in the sports environment, that of a stand-alone sports ministry have not only exposed the NSAs, but have challenged them in their backyard. In my view what has come very clear in the honourable minister’s vision is that the sports and recreation pyramid is weak or not serviced at all at the base, which is the area of community sports development level.

While at one stage there was a Community Sports Development Programme, can we say at the moment it is existing in the National Sports Association structures?

Following the minister’s address and debate, one realises that there are so many performance gaps in the operating environment, with no consistency to talk about.

The minister’s vision is to provide all people with the greatest opportunities to participate in sports and recreation.

His vision if properly understood and embraced will establish community sport structures that are viable and productive, the country will realise not only success in sports but also create a sport industry fully contributing to National Gross Domestic Product.

While waiting eagerly for the outcome of the Sports and Recreation Policy; with all the curiosity raised by Hlongwane, NSAs should move with haste and revisit their strategic plans in order to re-engineer, re-focus and re-align.

Yes and true the NSAs has to see the vision, and while some have attempted to address the structural misalignment in one way or another, but the resource and facilities have always been a thorn in the flesh.

It is where the Government through the minister should strive to make a starting point in order to kick start the desired focus and direction.

It is well known that we are all operating under suppressed economy hence strategic choices from Government interventions are critical to the success of structural faults realignment in sport and recreation.

It is also appreciated that the Minister has made a statement in this regard, what remains is the much anticipated support from Government no matter how little.

Government through the minister can motivate the NSAs in order to embrace the vision. The Government mediation through demands of clearly crafted strategic plans, submitted to the Sports and Recreation Commission by NSAs is one way for the authorities to easily identify specific objectives to support the Associations financially or otherwise.

Submission of a strategic plan can be used for NSAs to receive a development grant and would be in good standing. It will not matter how small the grant but will go a long way in motivating associations.

In fact it will justify the S.R.C to demand compliance from the Associations. Of course there are many ways but this is one example of how to motivate them.

It is also very important for the minister to be availed with statistic facts and figures for those NSAs which have always achieved set international qualifying standards for years, to represent Zimbabwe at internationally events such as the World Championships, and the Olympics.

These associations need to be better propelled in order to do better at this highest level of competition. Resources which are always not enough could better be used for a justifiable course.

A very important aspect is the development of human resources by respective associations. The vision which the Minister is preaching to the associations and sports stakeholders needs to be supported by sound knowledge of sports administration.

It is one thing to have a vision and another to faithfully follow it, let alone have the right personnel to chart it forward. All players need to have focus, goal-orientation and credibility to build up towards the vision.

As can be seen there are many stakeholders including the community members themselves who need to buy into this new vision? The Minister’s vision gives “purpose” somewhere to go.

It is the compass that keeps us going in the right direction, the blueprint with which we build tomorrow today.

It is therefore critical for the community stakeholders to buy into the minister’s dream.

For an effective realisation of the minister’s vision to be well developed depends on how the community stakeholders will be informed.

The other critical areas which need clarity are the mobilisations and utilisation of human resources in order to implement the planned activities.

Implementing the plan will require extensive financial and other resources that we don’t currently have.

It is uplifting to note that there are officers already recruited and deployed at both provincial and district levels. I think the ministry did not want grass to grow under their feet.

I also noted that the associations are seized with concrete structures which must decentralise to districts with the hope of servicing the community at grass roots level.

The SRC is also firm at provincial level with well vested co-ordination strategies. The trio is servicing the same community and chasing the same goals. It is my sincere view and observation that at the earliest opportunity there is need of clear parameters; effective role clarity in order to avoid a situation of who steals the thunder.

There is no doubt that the minister is working hard, his vision is very sound; what remains is an engine, which is the team of implementers, to do the work, otherwise the desired may never be realised.

A shared vision and a collaborative team at the end we will see the Sports and Recreation We All Want.

Joseph Mungwari is the honorary Life President of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe.

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds