United States-based former Zimbabwe sprinter Lewis Banda believes little is being done to develop local athletics and says he would want to play a role in the revival of track and field events in the country.
Report by Daniel Nhakaniso Banda, who still holds the 400m national record of 44,58secs since 2004, retired from competitive action early this year, but told NewsDay Sport from his base in Fort Worth, Texas, the US, that he still had a lot to offer to Zimbabwean athletics.
“My personal opinion is that not too much attention is being given to the sport, like what used to happen in the past. There is need to nurture the sport and ensure that there are more local competitions that attract young talents instead of just the zonal and regional meets,” said Banda, who now works as a physical therapy officer in Texas.
The Tshabalala-born star’s comments come at a time when local athletes have been starved of local competitions, mostly relying on regional meets where they have found the going tough because of lack of exposure.
Most events on the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe calendar are no longer held in high regard, with most competitions being cancelled either because there is no sponsorship, or due to lack of interest.
Lack of solid structures in athletics was exposed when the country failed to field even a single athlete in track and field events in the August London Olympic Games after the injury to sprinter and long jump star Ngonidzashe Makusha.
Banda, who turned 30 on Sunday, said he had plans to come back home and play a part in reviving the sport which gave him a career.
“I want to be more involved in athletics, especially back home because I know there is a lot of talent that is just waiting to be discovered, nurtured and developed. That is the same thing Jamaica is doing right now.
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“They are just exposing more kids to athletics, that’s why all this talent is just popping up. Zimbabwe used to have a lot of talented sprinters and it would be great if the country produces another 400m runner. Personally, I believe the 400m is one of the best and most fun events to run,” he said.
The former 400m specialist represented the country at the 2004 Olympics in Athens before injury ruled him out of the 2008 games in Beijing, despite having qualified to compete.
Banda said he had hoped to make one last bow at the Olympics in London, but could not make the grade due to a combination of age and injuries. “It was tough (missing out on the Beijing Olympics) because I know my talent levels and I know I could have done way better than I did in Athens, but having a broken back is tough. I tried my best to make it to London, but it didn’t happen. Injuries and age, I guess caught up with me,” said Banda.
