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Lovemore Dube
THE chairman of the local coordinating committee of the Confederation of Schools Sports Association of Southern Africa (Cossasa), Cephas Mutumhe is confident that they are on track to play host to an event to remember at the end of August.
Zimbabwe will play host to joint ball games, and track and field championships for five countries from the SADC Region.
Lesotho were set to be the hosts of the track and field championships but indicated in March that they were no longer in a position to have the Games on their shores.
Zimbabwe then sought permission from the Government to have both ball games and athletics in August. They were granted the authority to do so, and Bulawayo was chosen as the host city after a memorable tournament for sports such as basketball, football, netball, volleyball, and handball in 2015.
Speaking after a tour of facilities which included event venues and accommodation Mutumhe appeared as a content man. He said it was all systems go with things seeming in place for them to start welcoming Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, and Zambia.
He disclosed that the four nations had already confirmed their participation and were looking forward to the competition.
Mutumhe jokingly said the teams had tussled for accommodation options during the visit after being impressed with what they saw at some of the high schools in the city, which included Northlea, Gifford, and Founders.
“We are very happy with what we have seen and our member countries are very happy, some of them were fighting after a few schools that we have seen for accommodation,” said Mutumhe.
Turning to venues, he said Zimbabwe was very ready for the Games.
“We are as ready as we can be, even if they were to come tomorrow we are ready,” said the Zvishavane-based acting National Association of Secondary School Heads chairman.
Representatives of the regional Sadc schools body which falls under the Africa Union Sports Council Region Five (AUSC Region 5) toured White City Stadium, the athletics venue, netball courts at the facility, Luveve High School, Northlea, St Columbus, Gifford, and Founders. They were due to visit Milton and Townsend High Schools in the afternoon.
Townsend High School headmistress, Millicent Moyo, who is also part of the Bulawayo Nash executive where she is secretary-general, said she was content with the accommodation end where she is in charge and also that the Girl Child is being given space to shine.
Online Reporter