Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
ATHLETICS, indoor games and field events participants who will be representing Manicaland in the National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) are now in camp ahead of the competitions set for Prince Edward High School in Harare.
Athletes and their coaches started trooping into camp on Wednesday ahead of the start of the national competitions on Tuesday.
NASH head-in-charge of soccer for Manicaland, Chengetai Mushunje, confirmed that the team will be camping at Mavhudzi High School in Makoni District ahead of the national competitions.
“We are camping at Mavhudzi High from March 18 to 23 (Wednesday to Monday). The competitions will be held from next Tuesday to Thursday at Prince Edward in Harare.
“We will have 110 athletes in camp supported by 15 coaching staff. Right now we are busy gathering resources to use during our camping and games,” said Mushunje.
Mushenje expressed confidence that Manicaland representatives in the national competitions will give a good account of themselves due to thorough preparations that started at school level.
“Athletes were already training in their districts to keep up shape. We have quite a good number of gold medal prospects including our key athletes, Arab Chimuchembere, Beverly Mutasa and Price Mandisodza,” he said.
Meanwhile, schools sport continues to be the bedrock of sports development in the country following the recent announcement by Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) that Zimbabwe, will host the 2026 CAF African Schools Football Championship continental finals.
Reads the ZIFA announcement: “The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) welcomes CAF’s confirmation that Harare, Zimbabwe, will host the 2026 CAF African Schools Football Championship Continental Finals from 2 to 10 April 2026.
“The hosting of the tournament marks an important moment for Zimbabwean football, as it will be the first CAF event staged in the country in more than six years. It also reflects growing confidence in Zimbabwe’s ability to host major continental football events.
“Launched in 2021 under the leadership of CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, the CAF African Schools Football Championship has become Africa’s flagship schools football programme, combining football, education and social development. Since 2022, more than three million boys and girls from 82,477 schools across 48 African countries have taken part.
“The Harare finals will feature 16 teams, including host nation Zimbabwe, zonal champions and invited teams from CAF’s sister confederations. In addition to the matches, the event will also include CAF-led capacity-building programmes for young referees, reporters, medical officers, coaches and safeguarding practitioners.
“ZIFA looks forward to working with CAF and all stakeholders to deliver a successful tournament and a memorable experience for young footballers across the continent.”
