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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter

NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendai Tagara says they are proud to have one of their own, Lisimati Phakamile, being appointed as the lecturer for International Level One Coaching course to take place in Bulawayo.

The course gets underway on October 22 and runs until October 31.

Phakamile, who is NAAZ director for coaching, talent identification and development was appointed by World Athletics to lead the course.

“We are proud as a nation that we are one of few countries that do have their own people being appointed.”

The course is targeting development coaches, mainly those dealing with young children from eight to 12 years, cadets, youths and juniors.

Tagara said the course is critical for the development of athletics from grassroots.

“Coach Education and Certification System from World Athletics is critical in our country as we look at the implementation of the competence based curriculum.

“That’s why we work closely with the National Association of Primary and Secondary Heads.

“There is a lot of athletics awareness going on in the country since it’s part of the schools syllabus from Early Childhood Development (ECD) to Form 6.

“And athletics forms the major part of the Physical Education and Sport subject which is now examinable three times from primary to secondary level thus first stage at Grade 7, second stage at Form Four and finally at Form Six level.

“This has caused more teachers and lecturers from the teachers training colleges and universities to be part of our training programmes,” he said.