AUDREY MASHINGAIDZE
MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO – A Neshuro High School teacher and athletics coach is appealing for sponsorship for five students who are long distance runners having competed at several marathons and won medals and cash prizes.
Stephen Mpofu told The Mirror in an interview that the five athletes who are doing O level have immense potential to rub shoulders with the best long distance runners.
The students are Simbarashe Mutero (Form 4), Tinotenda Madhongi (Form 4), Rutendo Moyo (Form 3) and twins Omah and Motive Dziva
“During our school competitions I noticed five students who ran with passion and I took them under my wing helping them with what I can in order to help them unleash their talents,”
“The students come from low income families and they lack basic equipment as training kits and running shoes. I have assisted them with running shoes but we still need more,” he said.
The Dziva twins competed in the Tanganda Marathon in June and they won US$100, medals and humpers while Mutero and Moyo walked away with ZAR 600 each after coming first and second in the A.A mines half marathon respectively.
They have also participated in the Madzingo Half Marathon, Musabvunda Half Marathon, Beitbridge Mayor Marathon and Zimbabwe School of Mines Marathon.
Mpofu said he struggles to provide all their needs and he can offer them technical advice and training. He said the students are also an example to other children in rural areas.
“Many kids are now taking sport seriously after seeing this group exceed. When they win we always pcresent them at the school assembly and this is motivating other students to take up sport seriously. The students are more than just athletes, they’re dedicated to their school work and they need our support to reach their full potential,” he said.
“We have many more marathons to compete in and sponsorship would mean the world to these students by providing them with the resources they need to succeed, grow and thrive. It would also show our belief in them and that we’re investing in their future,” he said