A�Raymond Jaravaza and Nozipho Ncube
YOUNG athlete Kundai Maguranyanga could be headed for greater heights in the athletics world if he continues on the path that caught the attention of world renowned coach Darryl Anderson.Anderson a�� the head coach of the Texas Christian University a�� was in the city for a two-day working visit where he conducted trials at White City Stadium for athletes that are 22 years and below.
It did not take Anderson long to discover a rough diamond that hails from Masvingo.
The young Maguranyanga a�� an A-level student at Pamushana High School in Masvingo a�� clocked 5,83 in 60 metres.
And that is no mean feat according to a visibly impressed Anderson.
a�?His performance makes him eligible for a scholarship in the US. He has shown great potential. Ita��s been a while since we had someone from Zimbabwe and wea��d be interested in recruiting athletes who excel like him,a�? said Anderson.
To top it all, the young Maguranyanga is an intelligent lad, boosting his chances of landing a scholarship.
He attained 6 As in his Ordinary Level.
a�?Athletes need to have their academics in order because there are scholarships that need good grades at school. We will make a decision regarding a scholarship, ita��s a process that takes time but Ia��m impressed with what I saw,a�? he said.
To reach the exceptional levels of Olympians such as Usain Bolt, the young sprinter must work hard and above all watch his nutrition.
a�?He should be consistent in his training because it is only through hard training that one can become an excellent athlete. Ita��s also important to eat healthy,a�? he added.
Anderson is no stranger when it comes to working with Zimbabwean athletes.
Lewis Banda, a 2002 Milton High School student, is a former protA�gA�e of the world renowned coach.
Banda wrote his name in Zimbabwea��s history books when he clocked 44,58 seconds in 400m in Tucson, Arizona in the United States on 15 May 2004.
The Tshabalala bred athlete still holds the national record.
On 20 July 2007, the quartet of Banda, Ngonidzashe Makusha, Gabriel Mvumvure, Brian Dzingai broke the national record in the 4 x 100m relay clocking 39,16 seconds at the All Africa Games in Algeria.
The vice-president of National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Christina Ncube believes the country has abundant talent but athletes lack training.
a�?We need to dedicate more time and resources to athletics, schools are only concerned about the sport during the first term which is an athletics season but we need to go beyond that.A� Thirty minutes of extra training after school daily can go a long way in keeping our athletes in good shape.
a�?The young man was very impressive today and we hope he will go far in his career,a�? said Ncube.
Over 100 athletes took part in the White City trials with participants as young as 12 years coming through.
Anderson was in the country at the invitation of Arnold Payne Global Sports International in collaboration with the National University of Science and Technology (NUST).
