Story by Mthokozisi Dube
THE National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) is moving with speed to capacitate coaching officials as part of its broader plan to improve the sporting landscape.
August will be an action-packed month in athletics as NAAZ will be conducting staff development clinics targeting to capacitate athletics officials.
The Technical Officials Education and Certification System, known in athletics as TOECS, will be decentralised to Mutare from August 18 to August 20, where 40 officials will be empowered with athletics skills in a course facilitated by renowned athletics coach Enias Nhoro.
NAAZ Competitions Director, Manuel Mpofu, said they are moving full throttle to ensure an all-round athletics season, which will see athletes and officials being involved.
“It is an action-packed month, we will have level 1 TOECS courses in Mutare at Hillcrest and in Bulawayo. Our intention is to have qualified officials and podium finishing athletes. We are tapping from specialists hence, we have invited a facilitator from Germany and Mauritius. We want to learn from the best.”
After the level one TOECS clinic, specialist clinics will be facilitated by German coach, Gunter Lange and Mauritian Jol Severe.
The clinics come hard on the heels of Zimbabwe hosting the Southern Africa Senior championships last month.
Elsewhere, five athletes, Isaac Mpofu, Tendai Zimuto, Vimbai Maisvoreva, Makanakaishe Charamba and Tapiwa Makarawu have sealed qualification for the World Championships slated for September in Tokyo, Japan.
