The Sunday News
Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sports Correspondent
LONGTIME schools athletics benefactor Clemence Kunzekweguta is of the view that female teachers must capacitate themselves with latest technical know-how in order to produce top class athletes.
Kunzekweguta said lady teachers must not hesitate to take up sports courses because the coaching of athletics is not a preserve of their male counterparts only.
His comment comes right on the heels of the biggest athletics competitions in the schools calendar, the National Primary Schools Heads (Naph) national championships set for White City Stadium this week.
Speaking at the Naph Matabeleland North District competitions last Wednesday where he was the guest of honour, Kunzekweguta said it is incumbent for teachers to enrol for refresher courses to align with the ever changing athletics trends.
“I challenge lady teachers to do refresher courses and other sport related intervention seriously so that they do not play second fiddle to male educators. It is high time that we empower our teachers with the rightful knowledge on the training of athletics.
“The reason why I am deeply concerned with the small number of female sports administrators and coaches in schools is that in most training workshops, lady teachers are outnumbered by their male counterparts. It is recommended that schools organise workshops for refresher courses, in particular encouraging female teachers to be at the forefront.
“I am of the view that such sport training workshops take into consideration the economic situation that characterises this era and make the trainings affordable,” said Kunzekweguta.
He said if schools in Mat North want to score big at athletics, the training of teachers with a passion for sport should be a priority.
“Athletics at primary school is fundamental in that it is where the young talent is identified and honed. That is why it is crucial for schools in the province to support the training of coaches. A coach with the skill and know-how of athletics produces top performing athletes. There is no way Mat North can prosper in the competitions with sub-standard coaches.
“When the provincial team goes to the national finals I advise that coaches fine tune athletes, especially the relay team.
“Let us train the youngsters the proper way to pass on the baton to fellow team mates at the change over zone. Equally, athletes must know that a race is not over until they cross the line.”
Kunzekweguta through his business concern, Zero Suppliers, sponsored this year’s Mat North athletics. The company chipped in with the first ever champions’ shield, 100 medals and a whole lot of assortments needed for the provincial teams.
He said his commitment to junior athletics will continue for the coming years.
“The company will sponsor primary schools athletics in the three provinces of the Matabeleland region for year to come. Sponsorship packages will be in accordance with the requirements presented by Naph for the provinces but the company promises that we are here to stay.”
