By Decide Nhendo
A Mwenezi teacher from Neshuro High School has taken athletics to another level after he started training learners to compete in professional open athletics.
Stephen Mpofu, who is a holder of Level 2 medium and long-distance coaching said many people were undermining the potential of athletics to make a decent living for an individual, so he decided to go above and beyond the normal standards despite financial constraints.
“I realized that the learners I have been working with during school competitions had great potential to improve, so I took this opportunity to nurture them to raise their standards so that they can participate in professional athletics.
“So from the previous year to date the learners have been competing in some open athletics competitions where they have proved to be fit, scooping top elite prizes, despite lack of resources,” said Mpofu.
Mpofu said with the help of other local well-wishers he provided for the learners to compete in various open professional competitions where the learners proved to be competent.
“When we go for competitions sometimes I stay with the learners at my home while preparing to go for competitions.
“It is difficult because sometimes I fork out money from my pockets to provide food and other athletic stuff to the kids, but help from other few well-wishers lessen the burden,” said Mpofu.
Mpofu who said his dream is to register a medium and long distance club with more athletes is currently training his local learners who are willing to improve their skills.
He said the learners had a lot of competitions they were eligible to participate in, but lack of money restrained them from partaking in these races.
“My dream is to have a medium and long-distance club so that I can nurture talents from remote areas because there are a lot of learners there who can be great athletes if they take their time to practice.
“The learners I am training were eligible to participate in many competitions which take place nearly every week, but because of lack of funding, they are not competing,” he added.
One of his athletes Simbarashe Muteuro came first when he participated in five kilometers Madzingo Memorial Half Marathon race in Gutu on December 9 last year where he walked away with a US$ 70 prize money.
Muteuro also came second at the Musabvunda half marathon in Harare on December 16 last year.
Another athlete, Rutendo Moyo came second at Beitbridge Mayor’s half marathon on June 22 2024.
Mpofu said the learners were going to participate at the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) marathon on July 27, and also at the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) Commissioner General’s Goodwill Trust Fund Half Marathon to take place on August 24. He appealed to the public calling for those capable to come and assist the learners so they can be able to take part in the coming competitions.
Mpofu urged parents to support their children in athletics since some of them scooped money prizes which they used to do starter-up businesses to raise money for athletics necessities.
“I call for all parents to support their children who are into athletics because when they scoop prizes it is for their advantage.
“When learners won prizes in previous competitions they started small businesses, with some of the money being used for other sporting necessities including other needs at their homes, ” said Mpofu.
