adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
MATABELELAND South’s Nestle Zimbabwe National Association of Primary School Heads’ (Naph) Physical Education and track and field athletics team went into camp at the Mbalabala army barracks on Wednesday. They will stay there until departure for the national finals set for Trojan Mine in Bindura next week Wednesday and Thursday.
According to the Naph provincial chairperson Elton Sinyosi, 65 track and field athletes and 20 Physical Education participants were selected to represent the province.
“The team got into camp on Wednesday and shall remain there until departure for Bindura. I believe we selected a strong representative side that will fulfil our aim of coming out among the top five provinces in the country,” said Sinyosi.
He revealed that there would be an official send off of the team to be presided over by the Provincial Education Director Tumisang Thabela, who like her Bulawayo counterpart Dan Moyo, has been steadfast in attending to schools’ sporting events.
Meanwhile, speaking in his capacity as the Naph national spokesperson, Sinyosi said all provinces are expected to be at the competition venue on Tuesday next week ahead of vetting that will take place at 3PM on the same day.
“We’ll be very strict in our vetting as we want to totally eliminate the cheating scourge that has been a problem in our events in the past. We will use passports for the Under-13s and Under-14s while birth certificates will be needed for the lower age groups but as from next year we are planning to have passports throughout,” said Sinyosi.
Naph and Nash competitions have previously been marred by blatant cheating as some teachers want to win at all costs.
The Naph spokesperson also revealed that the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education Constance Chigwamba would be the guest of honour at this year’s nationals.
Online Reporter