The Sunday Mail
Tariro Charandura
Sports and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane says Zimbabwe can no longer draw comfort from just being competitive while missing out on podium finishes.
Hlongwane had a busy day yesterday, officially opening the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe strategic meeting and the International Karate Tournament in Chitungwiza.
Although he graced events featuring two very distinct sporting codes, the minister’s message was clear at both – it can no longer be business as usual.
“The illness afflicting us Zimbabweans is we see a problem in everything,” said Hlongwane in the capital. “Even before we start a project we say ‘the problem is this and that’. That culture has to stop.
“My principal, President Mugabe, mandated me to make sure that the country is represented well and wins on the international scene and I am working hard to ensure that mission is fulfilled.” Hlongwane challenged NAAZ to ensure that their 2017 to 2020 strategic plan is implemented to the letter, noting that Zimbabwe had a reputation for producing well-crafted programmes that were not properly implemented.
The minister called for fair and transparent selection of athletes to represent Team Zimbabwe.
“Sporting associations should have a presence at ward level to ensure that they oversee the selection process. We have sad cases whereby the most talented athletes do not make the team because a senior official has his or her own preferred choices.
“In the end we are not sending our best athletes to these international competitions and consequently the success we so badly crave is not coming our way,” said Hlongwane.
In Chitungwiza, the Mberengwa East legislator said Zimbabwe was honoured to host the inaugural So Kyokushin International tournament.
Hlongwane said successful hosting of the competition, which attracted an impressive crowd at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex, showed Zimbabwe was ready to take its pride of place in the international sporting community.
Zimbabwe dominated the tournament, scooping 16 trophies in various categories.
Zimbabwe Karate Union technical director Kumbirai Musinami said, “We had to prove our worth against the six other countries we were competing with. We are also pleased by the fact that the tournament went on well and without incident.”
