600 attend region’s first coaching safari

rning scholarship opportunities to universities in the Unites States.

Scholarship youths
International coaches in attendance were Lynn Farquhar, from Richmond University (USA), Dave Giffard from Akron University (USA)and Hermann Venske, top sprints coach from South Africa. There was also an opportunity for local coaches to update their coaching skills and techniques through dialogue with the international coaches.
The 5-day event was attended by 600 students from Zimbabwe, South Africa and Zambia as well as more than 30 local coaches from all provinces in Zimbabwe. Popular training sessions during the safari included the Dynamic Stretching session where students and coaches were given advanced tips on pre-competition warm- up for all sports. The most constructive session was on the “Makings Of A Champion” which was conducted by the WWS Director, Munya Maraire. This session focused on teaching athletes how to condition their mind and attitude in order to prepare themselves for sporting and life success. Reflecting on the coaching clinic, Maraire said “It’s very important for young people to realize that the moral and attitudinal issues in sport are just as important as the physical skills and talents. Without building character we would not be setting them up for true success”.
As a dynamic community initiative the SADC 1000 coaching safari received excellent support in the form of sponsorship from local corporates and regulatory bodies, with the deputy Minister of Youth, Saviour Kasukuwere donating Z$1 million to the cause.
Over 30 students were identified as sporting scholarship potential. These students will now go through the necessary academic scrutiny to ensure that they meet the criteria for university placement and many of them will be leaving for the new USA bases in September 2007. Students leaving immediately in February from the World Wide Scholarships programme are:
1.Sharn Appel (Waterpolo)
2.George Dzubinsky (Golf)
3.Elizabeth Dzubinsky (Golf)
4.Maka Mudekunye (Athletics)
5.Farirai Gwashavanhu (Athletics)
6.Allan Mashingaidze (Athletics)
7.Antony Hobwana (Athletics)
8.Petronella Mashingaidze (Academics)
9.Ruvimbo Chibisa (Women’s Soccer)
Madanha Chibudu received a Full Scholarship to Florida State University, the top Athletics University in America to study Sports Science. This scholarship is worth US $105,000. Hot on his heels is Sharon Ndlovu, who received a Tennis Scholarship to Lincoln University, one of the top tennis programmes in the USA worth $US 100,000.
Students shortlisted to leave later in the based on brilliant performances at the SADC 1000 -Coaching Safari are
•Top Men’s Soccer athletes was: Hardlife Zvirekwi (Best Junior: Munyaradzi Chiwara)
•Top Field Hockey Athlete was shared between: Pauline Ndlovu / (Best Juniors Eunice Denenga and Amy Lee Levey)
•Top Women’s Soccer Player was: Marilyn Magozore
•Top Tennis Women Player was: Juliet Sibanda / (Best Junior Memory Musindo)
•Top Men’s Tennis Player was: Kudakwashe Nyatoti / Best Junior (Kudakwashe Sengai)
The SADC 1000 coaching safari is expected to become an annual event on the school sporting calendar and more coaches and talent scouts are expected next year. – Own correspondent