NEXT GENERATION RUNNING WISDOM FROM BENSON CHAUKE

 Mr Pace Show question and Answers 

Presenter: Collen Makaza 

Guest: Mr Benson Chauke 

Date: 02/12/2021

Time: 6pm to 8:30pm

Venue: Chitungwiza, Harare, Zimbabwe

Contacts: 0776769684

Email: mrpacemakaza@gmail.com 

*Welcome Mr Chauke*

Good evening everyone

*Thank you Sir our first question* 👇👇

*1.Q- Mr B. Chauke can you tell us when and where were you born?*

Thank you for inviting me to this wonderful show.

I was born in Mwenezi Masvingo Zimbabwe.

*Year sir?*

1964

*2Q- Where did you attend your primary, secondary schooling and in which years?*

I attended three primary schools, namely Matande in Mwenezi, Gaba in Hippo Valley and Rata in Mwenezi.

I then went to Dadaya High School for my secondary education in 1979.

*3.Q- Tell us how was performance in athletics during your primary and secondary levels?*

I was never involved much in athletics in my primary school. We never had the type of competitions we have now. 

In high i was involved mainly in long distance events. I was not the school champion but was always there with the top 5 in my age group.

The only competions high schools had during my time in  school were friendlies in athletics, soccer, netball volleyball meets.

*4.Q- Do you still remember teacher or coach who identified your talent in athletics and how it started in athletics*

The first guy who encouraged me to do long distance events was a guy called John Tongoluweto who ran 1500m and 5000m for Hippo Valley in the 70s. 

John would train at Chivaraidze sports fields in Hippo Valley in the afternoon and most of us would always be out there to watch Hippo Valley FC training and John doing his thing. My elder brother was part of the athletics team but he never made it to the top. I would join my brother training on some days and go watch Mike Pool training Hippo Valley fc. 

I later transferred to Rata primary school in 1976 and my involvement in sport stopped as there was no sport in the rural areas. The only running was going to and from school which was 9km away. During weekends we would join the other boys going on patrol as mujibhas.

When i got to Dadaya High school 1979 an expatriate canadian teacher encouraged all the form ones to do cross country in the morning covering 10km.

*5.Q- What inspires you to be an athlete?*

What inspired me then to be an athlete was an opportunity to travel to Shabani and Mashava with our Dadaya High School 4x100m and 4x400m boys relay team for competitions. This was in 1981 and 1982.

 I was the six member of the team who never took part in the actual running

*6.Q- Can you give us the names of your training partners and how did they contribute for you performance in sport?*

I can only remember the team we trained with in high school. George Marimazhira,  Gilbrt Machina, Desire Chitanga. 

These guys were hard working and disciplined. That helped me a lot on doing the best i could during training.

*7.Q- What keeps you motivated to take running as part of your life time?*

This is a million dollar question. Athletics  keeps you younger, fit, and offers other opportunities to learn from others and to inspires others. 

As a coach i enjoy developing young athletes into school, district  provincial, vational and even regional champions.

I enjoy competition with other coaches in my said discipline.

*8.Q- When did you start chasing your dream in Coaching?*

My traveling with the Dadaya relay team inspired me to become a coach. When i went to college i then started coaching during my teaching practice years. 1984 and 1986. 

When i graduated i then started my meaningful coaching at Chekai Secondary school Masvingo 1987.

*Yooo seriously since 1987 in this industry of coaching wonderful*👍🔥

Indeed

*9.How it started in coaching athletics and your first club to coach?*

My first deployment as a teacher was at Chekai Secondary School and the school athletics team became my first  club that i coached.

During those days there was the Dariboard Cross Country championship. These competitions offered children from financially poor backgrounds an opportunity to compete and win money for their school fees. 

I then started working with kids from my school and i had two successful ones mamely Fanuel Mazungunye, and Josia Mandove. They won the district, provincial and got on the podium at interprovincial championships. Mrs Fay Chungu was the minister of education and sport then. 

From then i never looked back.

*10.Q- Who was your first athletes you groomed?*

Josia Mandove and Fanuel Mazungunye both from Chekai Secondary school 1987-1990.

*11.Q- What's your tactics and strength in Coaching?*

Coaching is about learning from others, trying out new ideas, discipline, focus, perseverance, accepting criticism, failure and defeat with a humble mind. One need to know that Rome was never built in a day. A coach needs patience with one self  athletes,  other coaches, parents, officials and the parent association.

One other standout strength i have used and has worked is PRAYER before training and after training. Also in everything i do.

My major tactic is to train an athlete to handle a specific race pace, and to be able to hang with a specific group in the race. We therefore prepare the athlete for a specific time or pace in the race.

Self development, going back to school, attending coaching courses.

I like the last stance *Self Development*🔥🔥👍

*12. Tell us how did you manage to produce top athletes without adequate resources?*

A coach has to develop himself or herself rather than wait for the association to develop them.

*True Sir*🤣🤣

Resources are a major challenge to most of us coaches. I have worked with kids from very poor backgrounds who could not afford fees, shoes, running shorts or t/shirts etc. I used my personal resources  and parents at times helped.  

At some schools the help only came when they started to seing results. At times i went out to look for sponsors from companies and from senior athletes.

I at times got donations given to my athletes. I remember Tendai Chimusasa, Tendai Chinhano, the likes of Morgen Sithole, Honest Mutakanyi and many others gave my team material,  financial, moral, training opportunities.  

 It takes a village to raise a child. Same thing in athletics it takes other coaches to produce  a champion. 

By being a good listiner i was able to avoid too many  unnecessary mistakes others had made in the past.

My athletes themselves listened to comments from other coaches and sinior athletes. This helped a lot in getting information from those that had gone through the mill before us.

*13.Q- Which events you specializes in athletics Coaching and why?*

My events are long and middle distances even though  I produced junior national field events champions in recent past.

Long and middle distance events require discipline in training and during competition.

*14.Q- During your pick days in Coaching, who were rivals in your professional career as a Coach?*

Joseph Mungwari, Dr Khumalo, Rugwevera, Kenneth Nyape, Luwis Masundas coach from Kwekwe and Robert Mutsauki

*All Big names in Zim Athletics* 👏👏👏

They were all on fire then

*15.Q- Do you ever represents Zimbabwe as Coach at any international champs.?*

I attended a few regional competions but my major national duty assignment was All Africa Games 2007, Rio Olympics 2016and the London iaaf world champs 2017

*So how this job of Coaching change your life financially*

Not much from the actual coaching but it opened up other doors for employment.  The joy of coaching is way more than the financial rewards

*16.Q- What do say about the performance of Nyasango and Zhuwawo at London Olympics and in Brazil?*

That was an outstanding performance 2012. The best performance by any Zimbabwean in the history of the Olympics. 

I strongly feel they could have done better if the team managements in London had given these two guys  incentives instead of what transpired  out there. (Some things i cannot put it here.) Some people did not understand why we kept the athletes home till just before their competion.  

The preparation for that competion had gone so smooth and the guys were in high spirits.

In Brazil circumstances were beyond us . We prepared well but injuries spoiled the party. Wirimai had to pull out while Cuthbert stayed on to encourage Purdon to push since he had been enjured.

*Please Can you tell us more about difference between Coaching and Management of athletes?*

Coaching for me is the instruction of what athletes have to do in preparation for competitions. Its how you motivate the athlete, how you design a training program that gives results at the highest level of competion for the elite coach. 

Management would be looking at the athlete's welfare, contracts,  invitations  sponsorship and other social activities that they stay in line with ones image.

*But these days it looks like managers can more  money than Coaches?*

*From your side how do you see it?*

They do because they negotiate contracts look for sponsors, races and they are the ones who recieves the appearance, wining, bonuses for the athlete.

I cannot change the status quo out there. It is what is recognised by the international federations in athletics. The athletes need to have a contract or understanding with the coach so that the coach gets a fair share of the spoils from their winnings.

I cannot change the status quo out there. It is what is recognised by the international federations in athletics. The athletes need to have a contract or understanding with the coach so that the coach gets a fair share of the spoils from their winnings.

*17.Q- Do you hold any post in provincial athletics board and national level?*

I do not hold any position at both provincial and national level

*18.Q- What is your best shoe brand as Coach?*

I like NIKE

*19.Q- What's your favourite   track and event and why?*

My favourite track event is the 5 000m. The reason is its fast tactical and require speed. How an athlete has to adjust to a particular field of athlete in a competition is the most exciting part. When everyone thinks they have won it they see someone just kick  from behind and hit the line first.

*20.Q- What's your unforgettable tour as Coach and why?*

I had two tours that i will always remember. The first was the all africa games in Algeria. I was head coach and Mr Nhoro was under me. Most of the athletes were sprinters. You can imagine how other coachs home felt when i was given the assignment ahead of them more so that i was coming from the middle distance background. 

I worked with my friends who were home and we produced a fair result. It was an eye opener for me and i learnt a lot from Nhoro and the rest of the team.

I also saw gaps within Zim teams on tour particularly outside the sport arena. The management and all the support staff.

The second tour was the Rio Olympics. I had an opportunity to meet world renown  coaches, and athletes who i shared notes with. I personally met and spoke at length with Bolt's coach, Kipchoge, Paul Tergat and the American marathon team coaches.

The experience of being there seing it happen inspires one to wish they had had this opportunity earlier to learn from go home correct and come back for the next competition.

*21.Q- What do think should be done to improve athletics at  provincial and national level?*

There is so much one would want done but the reality is we donot have a national culture of athletics. Some sport codes are supported more than athletics. Government would go all the way in assisting a national soccer team than they would with an athletics team to the world championships.

Secondly coaches at grassroots require exposure and education. Exposure to see high level competitions live, opportunities to meet and share notes with some living legends both coaches and athletes. We are not inventing the wheel we learn from those who have been through the mill then add our own ideas to be successful. Coaches, athletes and administrators need to learn how to stand on the shoulders of those who were there before them so that they get a better view of the future.

There is need to educate both coaches and athletes on the importance of integrity on honest, age groups, soortsmanship etc. Its not about winning money, or being the national champion. It is about doing the best one can within the statutes of the athletics.

Bring in more more organised competions.

Send people from clubs to go and a study tour of other clubs, in the country or out of the country.

Organise training camps for schools, clubs and the top athletes in particular events. Each athlete must bring their coach to learn from whoever who have been tusked to be the resource person.

Resource persons can be from within the system or could be from the region particularly those who have a proven track record not just holders of qualifications with no results.

Clubs with excelling athletes require recognition and support and encouragment. The same with coaches that have athletes doing well at both district  provincial and nstional level.

Put up a policy that will give incentives to coaches  athletes, clubs  for attaining particular results. 

Clear coach/athlete/official selection  policy may help in giving any coach/athlete/official his/herown development pathway.

All selections of athletes, officiaks and coached should be based on merit.

This will see us improve in our performance.

You are welcome

*22.Q- Your words how legends or hall of fame  in athletics should be honoured?*

This is very good idea  to honour those that have contributed so much in athletics.

Every sport has its own history and heros. It is important to acknowledge the effort put up by the legends.

Soccer in recent past had their own recognised by being given houses and other monetary  and no monetary prizes. Only one sport was chosen and yet we have athletes that raised the Zimbabwe flag high in and out of the country when some thought nothing good could come out of Zimbabwe.

There is need to look for sponsors who would give meaningful recognition to our own legends in athletics.

May we may not get houses to give away but stands, A1 plots or even A2 if the winners donot have these already.

Make the legends brand ambassadors and give them an allowance.

Come up with a criterion to be followed in chosing who qualifies to be in the hall of fame.

*23.Q- Your motivational words to the upcoming athletes and Coaches?*

Upcoming athletes and coaches must have goals with a time frame. 

Always remember that a dogs puppies donot open their eyes on the same day. Athletes mature at different times. Some mature early and start giving desired results while others are late bloomers. The coach and athlete should not give up too early for the late bloomers, neither should they burn out the early bloomers.

Educate the athletes on the dangers athletes the world over fall victim to.

Girls require protection from everyone. Their parents are the best people to work with. The mother where possible should be their daughter's chaperone.

Plan for your athlete with the parents so as to get their buy in and financial and moral support.

The coach must be patient in getting recognition, getting national appointments or even provincial appointments. Eventually it will happen.

I worked with the Kuwadzana High School kids from 1998 and cuthbert joined in 1999. A number of them started getting national appointments when they were 14yrs in case of Jane Makombe. Cuthbert joined later . I never was picked to travel with them. My major opportunity only came in 2016 and 2017. 

I never quit coaching because i was never where Nyasngo went. Instead i asked Cuthbert to go learn from those athletes that always did better than us Kenyans  Ethiopians and we would try out whatever information he brought. 

Equip your athlete with information of what to bring home from every competition. The athlete becomes the coaches eyes at every competion.

Work hard and the results will follow. It is so fulfilling to be used by God to transform lives through athletics. For me there is no great joy than to see what we never dreamt of happaning to athletes. 

The former  Kuwadzana High school athletes have houses of their own. When we started going out to competions most senior athletes particularly Honest Mutsakani, Morgan Sithole and others would always encourage us by telling us that if we continue to work hard the athletes would one day buy their own houses or stands.

True to their words three of these athletes had houses before they finished high school.

Coaches and athletes never give up when the going gets tough the tough get going. Never quit on your dreams because of someone. Continue to work hard and stay on course,  you will one day get there.

*24.Q- What should be done to reduce age cheating and drug use in sport?*

Teach sportsmanship to both athletes and officials.

Introduce campains against age cheating and drug use in sport.

Introduce stiff penalities to those caught cheating and using drugs.

Introduce longer custodial sentences to officials found guilt in the said cases of cheating.

Schools should capture children's correct data on enrolment. 

Educate teachers, on the dangers of age cheating and use of drugs in sports.

 Teach the dangers of drug use in sport and age cheating. 

Train more people to be used in screening athletes who are cheating in sport. 

Bring in ZRP at competitions  where children are screened so as to scare would be cheating teams or athletes.

Ban for life any official caught in the said cheating parameters.

Set up a committee to look closely into both age cheating and drug use in sports.

Carry out a research to establish the extent of these problems and come up with recommendations of what need to be done.

Introduce untidoping ambassadors to spread the message on the effects of use of drugs in sport

*25.Q- Tell us your future plans in athletics?*

My future plans are to establish an athletics academy where my soon to retire athletes can come coach under my watchful eye.

I also wish to continue coaching once it becomes safe to do so with more kids or athletes.

*26.Q- In brief tell us about your family and their support to your profession as sports person?*

I am married to Miriam and i was blessed with four boys and two girls. The youngest boy is Emmanuel 15 . He is good at both athletics and soccer. My adopted children are the likes of Cuthbert, jane Makombe and others

My family supports my pursuit in athletics and they are my number one group of fans. They can put up with us having no money in the house or me being away on tour with the athletes.

They help pray for me pray for the athletes

*By they way where's Jane Makombe*

She is around. Comes to see me once in while.

*Open to you all guys any questions*

Thanks you our guest and the presenter that was one of the interesting interviews happened here keep up the good work coach and to our presenter sir Makaza

Then my question is from your own perspective and the current sport situation in Zimbabwe and Athletics to be specific.... Where do you see us in the next 5 years to come???

You are welcome

I believe we have all it takes to be where everyone in the world is. We have very passionate young coaches. Once this Covid is gone we can go far. 

We have people coming up with ideas in various platforms coaches, officials and administrators. Surely we are on the right track.

Ok ok l see.... What about as far as sporting facilities are concerned??

*I want to thank Mr Chauke on behalf of the group for sharing his career as  an until he became as a coach*. 

*I also want to thank the group members for your support*. 

See you next time.

Sports facilities are a challenge  for now but as an athlete or coach look for the alternative. Facilities are a national challenge i hope the powers that be are looking into it