Brian Nkiwane
The writing was on the wall for everyone to see at the Olympic Games that are currently underway in London. Our medal hopeful Kirsty Coventry blew hot and cold, but after a heart-rending performance on Thursday morning, she sneaked into the semi-finals of one of her favourite events, the 200m back stroke. Coventry came second in the same event in the evening to book a place in the finals, where she eventually came sixth, finishing without any medal. Tough luck Kirsty, but it’s the nation that should shoulder all the blame for poor preparations for the games. We remain proud of what you have done for your country over the years. The fact that Coventry was the country’s flag bearer clearly shows the respect the nation has for her. However, in London age and poor preparations led to Coventry playing second fiddle to some youngsters. But what begs an answer most is that after Coventry, who is going to carry the nations’ hopes? Are we going to have another barren spell? Her performances have actually cemented the fact that this is her last Olympic dance, but as far as I am concerned there has been lack of continuity somewhere in the swimming world in our country. After Coventry, I can’t think of any name that is capable of lifting our flag high at international competitions like what Coventry has been doing since she started representing this country some years back. Coventry had a scintillating performance at the Beijing Olympic games in 2008 setting up Olympic records in her favourite 200m back stroke event. To be precise, it’s not the world of swimming only where continuity is lacking, all other sporting disciplines are lacking in this aspect. Of late our national football team, the Warriors have been playing very well, but look at what happened to our Young Warriors, the junior policy that used to flourish in this country is long gone. Special mention goes to junior football executives that have made sure that the structures are revived in all parts of the country in the hope that we have a national team structure from as young as Under 11. But this must not be the end of it; we need a functioning junior football league which will give national team coaches at these age groups a wide choice of selection. The same must be done to other sporting disciplines that include athletics, cricket, basketball and boxing, just to mention a few. Since the time Thamsanqa Dube and other renowned boxers took a step back, we have not heard of any upcoming boxers to take over from where these guys left, even though they have not retired. I think the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture should push for grants that will see the development of junior sports persons from all sporting disciplines in this country. Above all, let’s all rally behind all the participants that are in London for the games. Go Team Zimbabwe Go!!!
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