Ellina Mhlanga Harare Bureau
NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe president Tendai Tagara has admitted that they have not done enough to recognise and assist athletes who have represented the country at the highest level when they retired from the field.
With most athletes finding it difficult to make ends meet when they retire, not only in athletics but across the board, Tagara acknowledged that as the athletics mother body they have not done enough for their legends such as Artwell Mandaza, who contributed immensely to the sport during his days as an athlete, coach and administrator.
Mandaza is regarded as Zimbabwe’s greatest athlete after his 1970 record time of 9,9seconds in 100m but it appears the legend, who recently lost his wife, has since been forgotten and Tagara did not dispute the fact that they have not done much for their legends.
“If you look at (Artwell) Mandaza, during their time there was no money but they did the nation proud. These are the people who made it possible for us to be where we are. If you look when he was employed by Bindura University, the association made a recommendation. We feel as an organisation we owe him a lot, we have not done much for our legends for what they did for us,” said Tagara.
Tagara, however, revealed that they are negotiating with two insurance companies as part of their efforts to find solutions to secure the future of their athletes.
“At the present moment we are negotiating with two insurance companies to find out how best we can look after our athletes and officials. We are looking at an insurance package that covers the welfare, funeral and that can give us long-term retirement packages.
“We have also put in place a committee headed by Precious Tarakino that will look at mentoring our athletes especially the elite athletes, how best they can invest for their future and how they can look after their money. The committee was set up at our annual meeting in Gutu.
“But I’m happy to say that we are seeing our athletes, including those who are running in South Africa, investing from their earnings. Most of them own houses, which is good. If you look at Samukeliso Moyo she owns a number of houses and Sharon Tavengwa is also investing in Mvuma. We encourage our athletes to come to the association for help.
“We have the Athletes’ Commission headed by Cuthbert Nyasango and it has been active informing us on the challenges our members face.
“We used to have challenges with our athletes competing in South Africa as they sometimes had difficulties in getting their money after winning. This year we had four cases but they were all solved by the Athletes’ Commission working together with the South African Athletics Association,” said Tagara.
Tagara said they are hoping to have a clear picture of the way forward on their negotiations with the insurance companies they have engaged when they meet at the end of January.
“When we meet for our next meeting scheduled for the end of January we will have a clear picture of the way forward. We are saying from the annual membership fee our members pay we can take a lump sum and invest for the athletes,” said Tagara.
Tagara said the fee paid by the athletes and officials ranges between $10 to $20.