CUCSA to lobby govts over games

Raymond Jaravaza
THE Confederation of Universities and College Sports Association (CUCSA) will engage southern African governments to guarantee that all participating countries are represented in future tournaments.

The move was necessitated by failure of three countries; Mozambique, Swaziland and Namibia to send teams for this yeara��s edition that commenced in Bulawayo on Monday and ends on Saturday.

CUCSA games are held biennially and give a platform for college and university students in 10 southern African countries to interact and promote regional integration through sport.

Zimbabwe, Angola, Lesotho, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and South Africa are competing in nine sporting codes namely athletics, tennis, volleyball, chess, football, netball, karate, table tennis and basketball.

The CUSCA executive is, however, worried that the absence of three countries is taking the steam off the games. The 2014 edition in Zambia recorded 100 percent participation.

a�?We understand that the region is going through economic difficulties but we would like to see all the participating countries take part in future games. We will engage the governments of all CUCSA members for assurance that their respective teams will take part in all future games,a�? said CUSCA secretary general Nshimbi Mwale.

Asked if imposing fines on defaulting countries would encourage members to participate Mwale said CUSCA would consider that option.

a�?Unlike the African Union Sports Council Region Five Under 20- Youth Games where heavy fines are imposed on countries that fail to take part we cannot do that at CUCSA but ita��s something that we might consider doing in future,a�? he said.

Athletics and netball competitions are the White City Stadium and the National University of Science and Technology tracks while basketball, volleyball, karate and chess are played at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.

Football teams battle it out at Barbourfields Stadium and Hartsfield Grounds while tennis is played at the Bulawayo Athletic Club.

Table tennis is at Hillside Teachers College.