Licence or Leave: New NAAZ Rule Forces All Runners to Pay or Sit Out

From January 2026, all Zimbabwean athletes must pay for a new NAAZ licence or be barred from races (image source)

Zimbabwe’s athletics scene faces a major shake-up after the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (NAAZ) announced a new annual licensing system that will bar unregistered athletes from competing in official events from 1 January 2026.

According to a circular dated 27 September 2025, every participant must hold a US$7 annual licence, with US$4 remitted to the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC). A temporary single-event licence will be available at US$10, but the directive makes clear that race organisers, clubs, and coaches are legally prohibited from registering unlicensed runners.

“No race organiser shall register an athlete who does not hold a valid annual licence,” the circular reads.

The penalties for non-compliance include fines and potential bans for organisers who fail to enforce the rule, effectively shifting the policing burden to local event managers.

The decision has split the athletics community. Supporters say the modest fee will professionalise the sport, build a verified database of registered athletes, improve safety oversight, and align Zimbabwe’s system with global athletics federations. Advocates also argue that predictable revenue could fund development and anti-doping programmes while creating clearer athlete pathways to international events.

However, critics argue the move is tone-deaf to economic realities and risks excluding casual runners. Recreational athletes and charity-run organisers warn that even small fees could undermine participation, especially in low-income communities where household budgets are already strained. Organisers of smaller events say the new administrative burden and compliance costs could force grassroots races to close.

The temporary licence option is meant for occasional participants but comes at a higher per-event cost, nudging runners toward annual registration. The SRC’s endorsement strengthens enforcement by positioning the rule as a national sports policy, not merely an internal NAAZ directive.

Yet many operational questions remain unresolved — how licences will be issued, verified, and audited; whether vulnerable groups will qualify for exemptions; and how large events like charity or corporate fun runs will handle compliance. Organisers are calling for clear guidelines and transition support to prevent confusion when the rule takes effect in January.

As the countdown begins, attention will turn to whether this policy professionalises athletics or alienates participants. For NAAZ, the challenge lies in proving that a small administrative fee can build—not break—the foundation of Zimbabwe’s running community.