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Nkosilathi Sibanda
THE Confederation of Southern Africa Schools Sports Association (Cossasa) has started planning for this year’s edition of the schools’ competition, with the track and field event expected to be held in Lesotho in April.
The games are the biggest sporting meeting in schools in the region.
The association’s president Arthur Maphosa told Zimpapers Sports Hub this week that there was hope the games would be there.
Last year the games were cancelled, leaving many young athletes disappointed.
“We are looking forward to a better 2024. It promises to be a fully blown-out year where we are looking forward to even getting the Cossasa Games back.
If everything goes according to plan, the track and field championships will be held in Lesotho in April.
“We are looking to an improved sporting activity in the region this year,” said Maphosa.
Cossasa Games have not been held since the emergence of Covid-19 in 2020. Successive years have been met by countries failing to host, with most citing incapacitation due to lack of adequate funding.
Last year the track and field games were slated for Zambia at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Team Zimbabwe was already assembled, only to be told at the eleventh hour that there was no competition.
The National Association for Primary Heads (Naph) had prepared a team of Under-13 athletes, while the National Association of Secondary Heads (Nash) had the Under-15s and Under-17s.
By then, Maphosa, who was still the acting president said they were forced to cancel the games as they had only two countries Zambia and Zimbabwe confirming their participation.
Online Reporter