Sadc’s Cossasa a boon for sports development

Arthur Maphosa, who leads the National Association of Secondary School Heads, views the establishment of school sports under the auspices of Sadc as a significant boost to development.

Sport in the region is run under Sadc’s Africa Union of Sports Council Region Five in which governments from the 16-member bloc are fully behind the initiative.

The Confederation of Southern Africa Sports Association (Cossasa) was formed in 1990 and Zimbabwe only became a member in 2009, according to Maphosa.

He said with member States enjoying very strong political ties, it was natural that sport would follow suit and have all the countries subscribing to junior development from the primary school level. Not every child belongs to a club and can have access to regional competition and flavour.
Cossasa has mitigated strongly and positively even to afford champion athletes from remote areas of members who would have topped national competitions.

“We are an affiliate of the Africa Union of Sports Council (Region Five). We are automatically under Sadc,” said Maphosa.
He said the founding of Cossasa ,which allows primary and high school pupils to engage in sport internationally was part of fostering unity among the nations.

“Among the founding objectives was to unify and solidify relations between members and also give children an opportunity to explore their talents through sport. Kids look forward to opportunities after participating in these games against their peers from the region,” said Maphosa.
Regional competition allows athletes from the bloc to evaluate their development.

Maphosa said a majority of the players in the 2019 Gems that took part in the Netball World Cup were products of the Cossasa Games.
Silver medallist in the African Senior Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon three weeks ago, Chengetai Mapaya was a triple jump medallist in the Lesotho Cossasa Games in 2015.

“We have had success stories in several sporting disciplines, which include the Gems of 2019, football players like Tatenda Tumba and Walter Musona and many athletes who have shone locally and internationally.

“These Games are not only uniting kids through sport but are providing growth opportunities for athletes and sport,” said Maphosa.
A well-attended Cossasa Championship can bring over 1 000 children and contribute significantly to the economy of the host city as sports tourism continues to grow.

Bulawayo is expected to play host to the 2024 Cossasa Athletics and Ball Games next month.
Maphosa says he is excited about the prospect of having many countries in Bulawayo for the Games.

Coincidentally, Zimbabwe is playing host to the 44th Sadc Summit beginning August 17.
Harare and Mount Hampden will be abuzz with activity for the event.