Body-builders bemoan ban on sporting activities

By The NewsDay | Jun. 19, 2021 | 2 Min read

THE recent directive by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to close gyms has dealt a blow to body-builders who have upcoming international competitions.

BY MAGRETH RUZVIDZO

THE recent directive by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to close gyms has dealt a blow to body-builders who have upcoming international competitions.

The SRC this week suspended most sporting activities in a bid to comply with the government’s new lockdown measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Reigning Mr Zimbabwe men’s physique champion, Ryan Gumbo said this had affected him as he was already gearing up for the upcoming International Federation of Body Building and Fitness (IFBB) Sunfest competition in South Africa.

“The closure of gyms came when I was four weeks away from my next competition that is going to be held in South Africa on July 17 in Johannesburg. As athletes, we feel the decision by the SRC and Health ministry was rather too harsh on every sporting discipline as this will definitely kill sport in Zimbabwe,” Gumbo said.

“The alternative I have now is to train at home, doing weight exercises and using the little equipment I have like dumbbells, but this cannot certainly be compared to a normal gym environment where we have machines to target different parts of the body to bring out detail, something that is greatly considered during contests.”

Gumbo said he will, however, remain committed in his profession and continue to raise the Zimbabwean flag high.

“We keep up the faith and stay committed and use the resources I have and work hard to make my dream of becoming the first Zimbabwean to get an IFBB pro card a reality. I won’t give up, I won’t quit despite the setback,” he added.