The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE Joshua Matume-led Manicaland Athletics Board (MAB) recently facilitated the successful participation of 14 technical officials from Manicaland in a Technical Officials Education Certification System (TOECS) Level 1 course in Bulawayo.
MAB, in its plan of action for the 2024 season, highlighted the need to have its technical officials and coaches undergo professional schooling in different aspects of their work.
Matume said there is a huge difference in standards of competitions that are administered by untrained personnel compared to those managed by qualified officials.
“This (TOECS) is an international course which enables one to officiate at an international meet. I am cock sure that the quality of officiating is to greatly improve.
“At the same time, 33 teachers from Chipinge District also completed a National Level One Coaching course held at Chipinge Primary School.
“All the districts in Manicaland have received, either coaching or officiating courses,” said Matume.
The professional training which officials in Manicaland are undergoing dovetails into the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) stance to improve on capacity building.
NAAZ president, Tendai Tagara said they have decentralised the hosting of prestigious athletics management courses for coaches as well as technical officials.
“In our endeavour to decentralise our international programme, the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe will hold two courses in Mutare for the first time in 10 years.
“All along courses were held in Bulawayo, which is expensive for people from the east. We are encouraging schools to support their coaches and officials, and register early because places are limited,” said Tagara.
Reads the invite for the World Athletics Coaching Level 1 CECS Course to be held from April 22 to 26 at Sakubva Primary School in Mutare: “The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe, as part of the preparation of the 2024 sports calendar, is happy to invite you to attend an International Coaching Level 1 Course to be run from 22 to 26 April, 2024.
“School coaches are the backbone of our cadets, youths and junior development, hence this year we send eight school coaches to lead the junior team to the Africa Junior Champs.
“A World Athletics appointed course director will be in charge. Only 30 participants will be trained.”
