Makusha races against time

28 Feb, 2021 - 00:02 0 Views
Makusha races against time

The Sunday Mail

Tinashe Kusema

Deputy Sports Editor

AS days inch towards the Tokyo Olympic Games, for Zimbabwean athlete Ngoni Makusha, it means heightened preparations.

He presently spends the better part of his days at Morris Depot Police Camp, where the 26-year-old sprinter endures periods of sweltering heat and incessant rains while using the facility’s grounds for training.

“Right now, I am just training here (Morris Depot) using their grounds and gyms.

“It is not ideal, but I cannot afford not to train,” Makusha said.

He considers himself one of the lucky ones.

Yes, the grounds are a far cry from Pretoria’s High Performance Centre, where he spent the larger part of 2020 sharpening his skills, but in the current circumstances, he cannot afford the luxury to pick and choose.

After all, this is just a temporary situation.

The real goal is to travel to South Africa to take part in a three-month training camp.

Only US$3 500 stands between him and the Olympics.

“It has all been quite stressful these past couple of months,” said Makusha.

“The pandemic and lockdowns have made life very difficult, but it has been happening to everyone the world over.

“Every athlete is experiencing the same, and I have been trying to stay positive.

“I have just been working hard and training, so I will be ready when the competitions start.”

Not one to be deterred, Makusha has started a “GoFundMe” campaign aimed at raising the US$3 500 that will facilitate his trip to South Africa.

“I started the GoFundMe last month, in January, as one of the ways to raise the money for the trip to the High Performance Centre in South Africa.

“Due to the financial situation in Zimbabwe, the money I have is not enough for the expenses of the training camp.

“I cannot begin to explain the importance of this camp, as it will enable me to train in an elite-level environment.

“There will be fewer distractions, better equipment and, most importantly, peace of mind. Also, I will be able to compete in Olympic qualification events (IAAF certified competitions), something I cannot do here in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Zimbabwe does not have a track that meets the world athletics body’s qualification standards.

Makusha has set his sights on competing in both the 100m and 200m events, with qualification times set at 10.05 and 20.24 seconds respectively.

The qualification deadline has been set at June 30.

But with time fast running out, it could very well be now or never for Makusha.

“Making it to Tokyo, Japan, would be the realisation of a childhood dream.

“It (Olympics) might be what I have been working towards for the past four years, but it is something I have been dreaming of since I was a kid.

“So much work, so many sacrifices and so much effort have been put into realising this dream, and it is something I know that I have to do for everyone who has supported me through the years.”

He, however, reckons he still has about two editions to fulfil his dream.

“Athletics has a very short career span, and I have to make use of the time I have right now.

“I reckon I have about two Olympics left in me, the Tokyo and the Paris editions after which I hope to retire and help out some of the younger athletes realise their own dreams.”

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