I would like to congratulate female multi-talented athlete Kabange Mupopo for her exploits on the track and field where she has now been ranked first in Africa in the 400m.
This feat comes against a background of the runner’s impressive performances in the past events that saw her improve on her best time from 53:67 seconds to 50:87 seconds at the recently held IAAF InterContinental championship in Morocco.
Mupopo, who is also Shepolopolo captain, has set her sight at breaking the world record held by Martia Koch of Germany that stands at 47:60 seconds and was set on October 6, 1985.
But while that is a commendable feat Mupopo wants to attain, I feel there is need for her to decide on one sport she wants to seriously embark on-athletics or football. In my view, I think there is need for Mupopo to start focusing on one sport for her to make improvements unlike chasing two fronts.
Mupopo is one athlete that has shown potential to become one of the world’s greatest runners but combining running and football might see that dream not coming true. I am no expert in this field but I believe there is particular training that a runner has to adhere to for her to reach her targets.
Football has its own training techniques and I feel the earlier this is done, the better it will be for her to work towards breaking Koch’s world record.
As the Zambia Amateur Athletics Association (ZAAA) plan on meeting the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to chat the way forward, it will be prudent that the athlete’s interests are put ahead.
Mind you, one has to consider the risks that come with playing football, these include life threatening injuries and the case is vice versa in athletics.
By concentrating in one field, I feel Mupopo will be able to fully concentrate on her mission in sport, be it breaking the world record or leading the Shepolopolo to the World Cup title.
It can even be easier, I am sure, for the National Olympics Committee (NOC) to help organise a scholarship for her so that she can be training under the best facilities.
Much as the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt has the heart to play football and cricket, he has decided to stick to what he does best and avoid complicating his sports life and I am sure our dear Mupopo, with best advice from both ZAAA and FAZ, can take a similar path for she has a bright future ahead of her.
Promise to publish the comments received in my next column but keep them coming at eliaschipepo@gmail.com.