Former Zimbabwe Olympic Committee chief executive Robert Mutsauki has been appointed to oversee the redevelopment of athletics in the country ©Facebook

Former Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) chief executive Robert Mutsauki is set oversee development of athletics in the country after it received a $30,000 (£23,000/€27,000) grant from Olympic Solidarity.

The ZOC had applied for the funding on behalf of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ). 

NAAZ President Tendai Tagara has appointed Mutsauki would manage the programme called the Development of National Sport Structure.

Mutsauki is a former President of the NAAZ and had most recently been in charge of organising a new strategic plan for the National Olympic Committee of Kenya.

He plans to concentrate on improving results in time for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. 

At this year's International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships in Doha Zimbabwe were represented by a team of five competitors, four of who took part in the men and women's marathon.

Rutendo Joan Nyahora produced Zimbabwe's best performance at this year's IAAF World Championships when she finished 21st in the women's marathon in Doha ©Getty Images
Rutendo Joan Nyahora produced Zimbabwe's best performance at this year's IAAF World Championships when she finished 21st in the women's marathon in Doha ©Getty Images

Their best performance came from Rutendo Joan Nyahora, who finished 21st in the women's marathon. 

"The National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe enters a new era after securing support from the Olympic Solidarity," Tagara said. 

"They have hired an expert to lead the process. 

"This is part of our preparation for the next Olympic cycle. 

"The objective is to see how best we can strengthen the organisation’s capacity to achieve better results."