The Sunday Mail
ANOTHER Kopolo has stepped onto the court and Zimbabwe couldn’t be any happier. For years Paul Kopolo has been a strong pillar in the growth of development.
The 30-year-old national team player/coach has been pushing the Badminton Association of Zimbabwe’s development drive with determination.
One of his latest products is his 18-year-old sister, Nyasha, who is in the senior women’s team that is set to compete in the Thomas and Uber qualifiers in Algeria starting today.
“It’s really pleasing when someone you influenced into playing the sport develops like she has,” he said of his younger sister.
“All I can say is I love badminton and seeing young players developing makes me happy, I wish we can have Olympians in the near future.”
Paul is quick to add that coaching his sister is not an easy ride.
“It’s probably one of the hardest things for me,” he said. “Sometimes I feel I get too tough on her and expect more from her than any other player. But I believe it’s all part of trying to push a player I introduced to the game into being the best that she can be.”
Nyasha is used to the way Paul does his things.
“It’s something I enjoy,” she said. “He is the one who got me into badminton when I was quite young and was also my coach at Mabelreign Girls High School, so I don’t have any difficulties when working with him.” Watching as the siblings fly the Zimbabwean flag in badminton is their proud father, Armstrong Kopolo.
“I never played this sport in my youth, it was a white men’s game during my time,” said the 68-year-old.
“I remember the first time I saw it being played was at Presbyterian Church in Greencroft where I worked, it was quite interesting.
“These two love their game, amongst my seven children they are the only ones into sport and wish them all the best.”
