By  Suleiman Jongo, The Citizen Reporter
When you talk of athletics heroes, you will probably talk of  among others, Filbert Bayi, Juma Ikangaa, Suleiman NYambui and John Steven Akhwari.

Bayi , despite retiring, will still be remembered because he made an exciting impact at the 1974 Commonwealth Games when his daring front running tactics won him the 1500m gold medal in world record time from John Walker (New Zealand).

Bayi also set a new 1 mile world record in 1975, but this record was broken by Walker three months later. He is also an Olympic medalist.

Ikanga, will on the other hand, be remembered as well for his prowess and international achievements, having won gold medals in among events, New York marathon, Beijing Marathon, Melbourne Marathon and Tokyo Marathon.

The same also applies to Nyambui with a sensation international record, including winning a silver medal at Moscow’s Olympic Games in 1974.

Another hero is Akhwari, who while competing in the marathon in Mexico City, fell, badly cutting his knee and dislocating the joint.

He continued running, finishing last among the 57 competitors who completed the race (75 had started). The winner of the marathon, Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia, finished in 2:20:26. Akhwari finished in 3:25:27,when there were only a few thousand people left in the stadium, and the sun had set.

As he finally crossed the finish line a cheer came from the small crowd. When interviewed later and asked why he continued running, he said, “My country did not send me 10,000 miles just to start the race; they sent me to finish the race

The history of the Tanzanian athletics heroes, who put the country’s flag high in various international events will be incomplete without mentioning the name of Gidamis Shahanga, also s a retired Tanzanian long-distance runner who specialized in the 10000 metres and the marathon.

He has a long history to tell during his over-20-year of experience in his running career.

“I  and others did our best during our hey-days,  despite retiring, I have an obligation to develop the sport and produce other runners in the likes of myself, Ikangaa, Bayi and others because the sport is in my blood”, says Shahanga.

He believes that retiring does not bar him from developing young athletes, but gives him more time and highly dedicated to make their dreams come true.

Shahanga, who championed many international races like 10 kilometres’ rod race in Montrey, Mexico, in New Orleans, Michigan and Stockholm says that to develop young athletes, he has volunteered for the establishment of  Shahanga Sports Institute (SSI) in his native, Katesh. “There are dozens of talented young runners who need exposure and promotion, I stand for them and need a back up for their triumph in major events like Olympics and Commonwealth Games”, says Shahanga.

“ Since we retired from active running, Tanzania, I think has been lagging behind, we were at par in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s, but now Kenya and Ethiopia have become forces to reckon with”, says Shahanga.

The 1978’s Canada marathon winner, whose illustrious career was recognized by the World’s leading Runners’ Magazine for awarding him an outstanding achievement award in 1984 says that Tanzania will regain her lost glory should the junior runners be developed.

By through the establishment of  SSI, which was established mid last month has the desire to re-enact through youth, the success which he and fellow compatriots recorded while representing the country at international athletics championships.

Shahanga says that the youth of today have to learn various sports techniques, experiences and life disciplines they had during their active running.

“The vision of my institute is to regain the lost glory of the country’s great performance by transforming it into powerhouse in the making 50 years of Uhuru”, says Shahanga.

The institute, according to him, is a non-profit and charitable organization whose objective is to promote sports activities, particularly athletics, among the men and women.

Their developments, according to Shahanga, will be through training programmes, competitions and exposure whereby the corner stone and value of the institute will instill among it’s members, friends and supporters.

Apart from sporting events, Shahanga says the institute will also educate the youth on the dangers of substance abuse, corruption and all forms of discrimination.

“It’s my hope that we shall make a step ahead in athletics should we achieve our desired goals and we hope we will because we have the will and determination”, says Shahanga.

Speaking recently on 50 years of Uhuru, Bayi, whose primary, secondary and high level schools also promote sporting events , said that he is also considering to have an academy, which will mainly deal on sports developments among the youth.

“During our time, we had patriotism and did it for the country, now, athletics is one of the money-spinning events, however, much have to bee done to promote it among youth of today for them to do like we did during our career”, said Bayi.

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites