adminNkosilathi Sibanda in Gaborone, Botswana
CHEATING allegations marred the third day of the Confederation of Schools Sport Association of Southern Africa (Cossasa) Games here, with participating countries alleging Botswana used over-age athletes in the Under-14 and Under-17s regional athletics competition.
Yesterday morning tension was high before the start of the games, as officials questioned why the hosts, Botswana, were using birth certificates for their athletes in the vetting process instead of passports.
The competition was delayed and had to start after midday as officials held a lengthy meeting to clarify the issue.
According to competition regulations passed in 2013, Cossasa members agreed that all participating athletes should produce valid travelling documents as proof of their actual ages.
Last year when Zimbabwe played host to the Games, the local organising committee secured passports for every athlete, even though they were at home.
If host countries are to use birth certificates it would leave visiting teams with suspicions as there is no way they can prove whether athletes are giving genuine names and ages or not.
But, this time around Botswana had their way. The hosts did not budge from the mounting pressure from other countries and they continued to use birth certificates throughout the competition.
Following Botswana’s refusal to stick to agreed arrangements, officials from Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia called an ad hoc meeting on the issue yesterday morning.
Botswana may have taken advantage of being the hosts to field over-age athletes. Even if other teams complain about the local athletes the process for foreigners to verify would be long.
It was resolved that Botswana should continue with the birth certificates but, were warned that this would change in the coming edition of the Games.
Investigations by Chronicle Sport revealed that there were athletes representing Botswana who were school leavers with some suspected to be in the army and students at the University of Botswana.
Botswana officials denied the allegations.
After the meeting Arthur Maphosa, vice-president of the National Secondary School Heads (Nash) in Zimbabwe told Chronicle Sport that they felt cheated.
“This was not the way things ought to be done at Cossasa Games. Last year when we were hosting, other countries put pressure on us to have passports. Surprisingly, we were at home and we did what was required. Now that Botswana is the host, they produce birth certificates in the vetting process.
“Surely, this sudden shift of goal posts leaves a lot of unanswered questions. Was Botswana using the rightful athletes? Did they take advantage of being the hosts so that they claim the championship on home soil? We feel that countries must adhere to stipulated regulations. This totally kills our athletics,” said Maphosa. Johnson Madhuku, the Cossasa president said Botswana erred in its approach.
Meanwhile, the Cossasa executive has announced that Lesotho will host the athletics and field competition in 2015.
Online Reporter