The Sunday Mail
Deputy Sports Editor
THE National Federation of Zimbabwe Bodybuilding and Fitness (NFZBF) have found themselves in a pickle, one that is likely to keep their offices closed for the foreseeable future, owing to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
While some of the associations have begun to prepare programmes for the gradual return to action following Government’s decision to allow the resumption of low-risk disciplines, the NFZBF have sent an urgent appeal for the issue of gymnasiums — which remain closed under the current regulations but are an integral part of the sport — to be addressed.
“The bottom line is that so long as gymnasiums continue to be closed, there is very little we can do in terms of returning to action, as they are a key component of our athletes’ training regimes.
“We have no problem hosting competitions, but our athletes need to train,” said NFZBF secretary-general Quiet Shangai.
Disciplines that have been green-lighted are archery, swimming, tennis, athletics, cycling, equestrian, gymnastics, rowing, golf, motor sports, chess and darts. These disciples are predominantly non-contact sports, which make maintaining physical distance possible.
However, gymnasiums continue to be high-risk venues and are among the premises that will remain closed for the duration of the lockdown.
The federation also does not have control over gymnasiums.
Shangai said: “There was once a time when a few gymnasiums fell under the jurisdiction of the Sports and Recreation Commission, through the NFZBF, and we could license, monitor and regulate them.
“That could have come in handy during this pandemic, as we would be able to monitor and see that the gyms we currently have in the country comply with the provisions set out by Government for most non-contact sports.
“These include adhering to the operational times set out by Government, the issue of regular testing, sanitising and social distancing.
“Hefty penalties and cancellation of licences could have been put for those that fail to comply.”
The organisation wants to be empowered to be able to control the activities of gymnasiums.
“We have already alerted the relevant authorities and sent an appeal to both the SRC and Government to intervene and come up with some sort of Statutory Instrument that will empower us.
“The licences could vary from commercial, council and personal gyms, with certain fees allocated for it,” he said.
NFZBF similarly believes that personal trainers, who have grown in number over the years, also have to be licensed.
“The issue of licensing will enable us to see what form of qualifications, like first aid, psychical education or equivalent, that some of these so-called personal trainers have.”
