Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
SPORTS development in Shamva has received a significant boost following the launch of a new athletics academy aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent.
The initiative is expected to create opportunities for aspiring athletes while strengthening grassroots sports development across Mashonaland Central Province.
Bradley High School was a hive of activity on Saturday as hundreds of primary and secondary school athletes competed in various events to mark the launch of the Wamambo Sports Academy, an initiative designed to raise the standard of competition in Shamva District.
“We came all the way from Harare we just want to thank Wamambo for inviting us for this competition, some of our athletes won silver gold and bronze medals,” a participant said.
“I ran the 100 and 200 metre races and scoped silver medals so I am happy,” a medal winner said.
“The competition was tough but I managed to get gold in the 10 000-metre race. Our province was participating,” a winner said.
Wamambo Sports Academy Founder, Engineer Ryan Dhokwani, said the academy was established to unlock sporting talent in Shamva and provide local athletes with opportunities to compete at higher levels.
“We aim to nurture talented children who can throw, jump or run, we want to train them to be podium finishing athletes, if we go to NAPH and NASH it was number three so challenge is that children run athletic from January to March, at the same time Shamva IS where the famous athlete Tapiwa Makarawu comes from so it’s easy for us to get,” he said.
The inaugural sporting event attracted talented athletes from areas as far as Birchenough Bridge and Harare.
“We have children as far as Rushinga and Chiweshe, this club is offering scholarship, we started with two grade 6 students and they are now at Mutumba primary getting full funding from the academy. We monitor them and get time to coach them,” Chairperson Wamambo Sports Academy Patmos Mugaradziko said.
Government and the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) supported the sports academy launch as an important step towards creating opportunities for young athletes to pursue their sporting dreams and contribute to the country’s future success on the track and field.
