Coach Ninja, a versatile sporting force

Patience Muchemwa

Zim Now Reporter

Wisdom Tatenda Shinya, better known as Coach Ninja, is a name synonymous with versatility and success in Zimbabwean sports. From the heights of netball to the intricacies of Korfball, this coach has carved a niche for himself as a multi-talented sporting figure.

Shinya’s journey into coaching was somewhat accidental. Initially focused on football, a knee injury redirected his path towards netball. "I started coaching netball in 2009 when I was at school helping my classmates at Glen View 1 high though the girls were forcing because I didn't have any love for netball but with time I get used and started to love it after I suffered a knee injury which made me quit football," he explained.

His natural affinity for the game saw him quickly rise through the ranks, eventually balancing both netball and Korfball coaching. "Korfball from the moment it was introduced since I also play netball and basketball, so it was easy to play Korfball that was back in 2013," he said.

Despite his achievements, the road has been fraught with challenges. Financial constraints have been a constant hurdle, forcing the coach and his teams to rely on personal resources. "The challenges I face are mainly of convincing my teammates to be patient with the game since we don't have sponsors and proper funding from the Sports and Recreation Commission so, mostly we go on to use our own money," he shared.

However, Shinya’s determination has paid off. His coaching prowess has yielded impressive results, including multiple medals in both netball and Korfball at international competitions. "As a coach I have managed to have a Silver Medal at the COSSANA games held in Malawi, Bronze at the World Cup Qualifiers and African Championships in Pretoria, Qualified for World Cup, Diamond Challenge bronze 2022, bronze medal African championships 2023 in Botswana, Korfball I have 2 silver medals for African championships and 1 gold for African championships and qualified twice to World Cup but failed to go on both occasions due to lack of funding.

To nurture young talent, Shinya established an academy at Queen Elizabeth School, offering both netball and Korfball. This initiative is crucial in developing a strong pipeline of athletes for the future

Korfball, in particular, holds a special place in Shinya’s heart. He believes it has the potential to become a major sport in Zimbabwe if given adequate support. "Korfball can be one of the best sports in Zimbabwe if we can get support from the cooperate world and government because we always deliver the best results ever since we started playing at an international stage."

While coaching women's teams presents unique challenges, Shinya remains committed to empowering female athletes. He acknowledges the financial pressures but emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for women in sports.