Herald
10 July 2010
By Ellina Mhlanga
TWO-TIME Comrades marathon winner Stephen Muzhingi has urged the young and up coming athletes to remain focused to be able to achieve their goals.
Muzhingi said there are challenges in every situation and the athletes should face them.
“It is very hard to become a top athlete, I was young, my colleagues used to laugh at me when I talked about my ambition as an athlete.
“It was difficult for me to show people what I wanted to do but I remained focused.
“And to the young athletes, they must identify their goals and areas there are good at and focus on that,” said Muzhingi.
Muzhingi was a happy man on Thursday when the Harare City Council and other stakeholders hosted a banquet in his honour.
The athlete said he had now made up his mind against taking up South African citizenship.
“I could have acquired the South African citizenship last year in October when I won the Comrades marathon for the first time.
“If I had changed my citizenship I would have won R2 million and incentives from different stakeholders.
“This year again the South Africans encouraged me to take up their citizenship so that I can get all the incentives but I refused,” said Muzhingi.
In an interview with The Herald on the sidelines of Thursday’s function, Muzhingi said he will remain a Zimbabwean and continue to raise the country’s flag high despite the challenges he is facing.
As an athlete, he need adequate support to fund his training but remains attracted to the South African programme.
“I wish the nation could do something more for sports people in this country.
“When I go back to South Africa, my sponsors and the media will ask me if my country has done anything for me besides honouring me,” said Muzhingi.
Muzhingi said lack of sponsorship has been his major obstacle but expressed hope to have local sponsors who could support him after the Minister of Education Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart called on the corporate world to come on board during the reception hosted by Harare Mayor, Muchadeyi Masunda, on Thursday to honour the athlete.
“Now that I have been recognised and the government have promised to support me, it appears things are going to be better for me,” said Muzhingi.