Times Of Swaziland: SEWU IN PURSUIT OF STARDOM

SEWU IN PURSUIT OF STARDOM
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BY PHOLSILE HLOPHE on 22/05/2020 00:41:00


MBABANE – The hard work never stops for Mbabane Citizens player Richard Sewu.
The Liga Desportive de Maputobound Ghanaian player is defying the odds and
continues to train relentlessly amidst the coronavirus outbreak which forced an
end to all sports activities. With the league and other football tournaments
frozen indefinitely, fitness and speed for all athletes is key because this will
be put to the test when games resume.
Having signed a two-year contract in early February with one of Mozambique’s
biggest teams, this player has two goals in mind and that are to be as fit as a
fiddle and ready to impress when football springs back to action. Speaking of
return to action, it is going to be tough when it eventually happens.
Truthfully, it could be one, two, three, or more months from now.
demands
The questions that athletes need to ask themselves during this period are; what
am I doing to prepare for the demands of that first 90-minute match back?
What am I doing to ensure that my muscles can handle fatigue? What am I doing to
maintain the blistering speed?
The coronavirus era is here to test athletes’ devotion and self-drive.
Usually, athletes train following a specific routine, being told how to lay out
their sets, reps and load progressions. In the absence of coaches and training
partners, Sewu has taken it upon himself to formulate a personal training
programme in order to improve his fitness and health even during these trying
times.
“I am anticipating a big move to Mozambique so fitness is my priority. I
exercise every morning doing road running then train in an open field, focusing
mainly on ball activities and strength training. I cannot make excuses to avoid
training because I have big goals and won’t give in to the challenges imposed
by COVID-19,”said Sewu.
He said that the spread of COVID-19 had delayed his move to Mozambique as he was
supposed to join his new team on May 15 but was compelled to await further
notice. He advised other athletes to overcome the anxiety and depression-causing
stress resulting from being under lockdown in the absence of ball games.
“I pray every day for this virus to vanish so that we can get back to the
pitch and do what we know and love best. I believe that club managers can’t
wait for games to return. My future dream is to play in Europe and be part of my
national team,” said Sewu.
He also encouraged the nation to continue adhering to the health precautions as
advised by government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) such as regular
washing of hands using running water and soap or by using a hand sanitiser.
He also emphasised on the use of face masks whenever one is compelled to leave
the house for essential services.