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Makusha was speaking at a press roundtable held by the US Embassy in Harare yesterday. The track and field star, who is working with his former school Mandedza High, in Seke, to promote sport development, said there is need for Zimbabweans to develop a culture for sport.

“What I have realised is that in Zimbabwe people see it as if somebody just comes in and donate money, it should be a culture and people should enjoy sport, they have to understand the importance of sport.
“People should look at sport from a different perspective, just enjoy sport and then start developing it from there. We have a lot of talent, we need to build a general interest,” Makusha. Makusha said one has to believe in himself or herself to achieve their set goals.

“As for kids out there, the sky is the limit. Sometimes we limit ourselves. It is important to keep on dreaming. They should not just set goals that are easy to achieve but also do something challenging. Position yourself around positive people in life.
“I believe in Zimbabwe we have what it takes to be the best. All we need is support from the society and parents,” Makusha said.

Makusha said there was need for one to work hard and stay health to complement one’s talent.
“People think it’s talent but when you are running at a professional level you also need to stay healthy because when you run professionally you put your body under pressure,” said Makusha.

Makusha took the opportunity to narrate about his life, growing up in Chitungwiza, and said it was never easy.
“My family generally, it’s not like I grew up in a rich family. It was so challenging, life wasn’t easy as it may seem today, actually I got to own a pair of training shoes in 2006.
“After that everything started to open up, I was blessed to have a full scholarship and it was a dramatic change. My parents are very spiritual people. My mom worked so hard, she used to do cross border trading and she took a lot of risks working for us to get a better education as well as my father.

“That’s real love,” said Makusha.
The 24-year-old will be graduating with a degree in Applied Economics next month.

Education USA advisor, Rebecca Zeigler Mano, commended local athletes based in the States for being good ambassadors saying they always get positive reports from the coaches in US.

“In academics and sport we have got positive reports on our athletes, they are academically driven. They listen to coaches. They don’t feel like they are entitled to the opportunity,” said Mano.
Mano said it was important to maintain a good relationship between the two countries.