The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
Deputy Sports Editor
AMONG a litany of questions that have inundated his inbox since assuming the post of Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) chief executive officer, the one that should not have come as a surprise to Stephen Mudawarima is whether or not he had sought audience with his predecessor Anna Mguni and asked for tips and advice.
After all, this happens to be the worst time to assume that lofty post, given that the country is in the throes of a devastating pandemic and the fate of the Olympic Games is still up in the air.
However, Mudawarima seems to have taken to his new role like a duck to water, giving as much as possible without actually giving away too much.
“My predecessor Anna Mguni did a wonderful job in the administration of the ZOC, and what we need to do is continue from where she left.
“This includes continuing the job done in terms of governance, compliance, human capacity, and capability development.
“We also need to have more athlete focus.
“Sports science and technology will play a key role in everything we do, and this includes looking at what support we should be giving to the athletes and preparing them better for consistent elite performances,” Mudawarima said.
He paid tribute to some of the individuals who have contributed to his rise, who include the late basketball coach Linus Mushonga, the Olympic body’s president Admire Masenda and the karate duo of Samson Muripo and Steven Charandura.
He spoke of how his wife, Louisa Chikara stood by him throughout his journey in sport that includes stints in basketball and karate before venturing into administration.
However, his basketball career is really not much to write home about, in terms of legacy, as injuries prevented him from scaling the heights his talents warranted.
At the age of 45, and over a decade after retirement, Mudawarima hardly remembers much from his basketball days apart from a handful of titles, a few national team caps, and a slew of stints with many different organisations.
“Basketball is not for short people, especially if you want to take it to the highest level.
“Due to the exposure during my playing days, I am of the opinion that I should never have been anywhere near a basketball court.
“I see it in my eldest son (Mudiwa), who doesn’t have the frame or genetics for it (basketball).
“That is the answer I give when people ask me why my son is not following in my footsteps.
“He is more inclined to rugby and I believe he will do wonders in the sport,” he said.
“Growing up, I wasn’t really an athlete, and only started playing basketball during my secondary school days at Kutama Boys High. We mostly taught ourselves the sport.
“This is the reality of Zimbabwean sport, as there was no official basketball programme at Kutama during my days.
“We had a teacher in charge, yes, but most of what we learnt was through watching the NBA on television and teaching ourselves the basics and fundamentals of the game.”
Mudawarima moved to the national circuit largely due to his uncle (Ndoro Chanakira)’s influence.
He joined Waterfall’s Trailblazers, where he met the late Mushonga.
Injuries
He became a nomad of sorts during his playing days, plying his trade at Cavaliers, Celtics, Arcadia Bucs, South Central, NABA Pros, and Raiderz in what is now best termed as an injury-plagued career.
“Two-thirds of my career, I played hurt,” he quipped.
A nagging knee injury is what pushed him to retire and later take up karate (Kyokushin), where he currently holds a First Dan black belt.
They (injuries) also led him towards administration.
He held a couple of positions in the sport before making the move to ZOC.
Initially, he had a position on the board, did a lot of work in anti-doping, and eventually secured the CEO’s post.
“When you get injured in Zimbabwe sport, no one really cares.
“My parents often paid the bills every time I got injured, and as an athlete, or youngest, you tend to feel abandoned and betrayed every time this happens.
“That stops now,” he said.
In his new role as the ZOC CEO, Mudawarima is hoping to bring change.
“During my days as a sportsman and administrator, I interacted directly with a number of athletes and athletes support staff, and I am fully aware of the interventions that are needed.
“This will be guided by a strategy review, and my job will be to find the best way to deliver on the specific set strategic objectives.
“I am very much looking forward to the challenge and responsibilities that come with the role.
“This is my opportunity to make a positive difference, especially to the athletes.”
He said his experience with the ZOC medical commission helped him understand the impact of such pandemics like Covid-19 on athletes, particularly ahead of the Olympics.
“My previous role as chair of the medical commission prepared me aptly for this environment, especially as it pertains to ensuring athletes’ safety.
“We are waiting for the specifics of the qualifying events, and these will be determined by the international federations.
“Thabani Gonye (Chef de Mission) is working closely with the sporting codes that still have a chance of qualifying.
“My message to them is that athletes need to put themselves in individual bubbles.
“The safety and health of the nation and athletes come first, and all that we do should not be in violation of Statutory Instrument 10 of 2021 and other Government and World Health Organisation protocols.
“We, therefore, will look at each athletes’ case and work with the technical and medical team to come up with appropriate interventions.”
