adminBy Nkosilathi Sibanda
TEAM Zimbabwe for the Confederation of Schools Sport in Southern Africa (Cossasa) leaves this morning for Gaborone, Botswana and has been encouraged to look up to representing the country at the Olympics and other international competitions if they are to excel and make a living out of sport.
Dan Moyo, the Provincial Education Director for Bulawayo Metropolitan province said this during a colourful sendoff ceremony at Northlea High School yesterday.
The Zimbabwean squad, comprising of 88 Under-14 and Under-17 athletes will compete with other regional teams at the University of Botswana from tomorrow to Sunday.
“We need you to raise the Zimbabwean flag high. The country depends on you. Do not only shine in Botswana but, make sure you set sight to represent the country in the Zone Six games and at international games such as the Olympics.
“Sport is a source of living. Through sport one can be successful. Go and represent Zimbabwe with a conquering spirit. ”
Moyo encouraged the young athletes to guard against complacency so that they retain the championship.
“You are going to excel, just as you did in Harare last year. We are not only sending you to succeed in Botswana but, to excel in life. We want you to come back with better results so that you represent the country in the Region Five Games that will be held in Bulawayo this December,” he said.
National Association of Secondary Heads (Nash) vice-president Arthur Maphosa spoke highly of the support the team got from the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture.
“We praise the formation of the new Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture. We appreciate that the Ministry has provided busses to ferry the team and the officials. Nash will only fuel the buses and pay the drivers.
“This marks the beginning of good things to come. Other stakeholders, especially in business must follow suit for the development of sporting talent in Zimbabwe.”
Maphosa thanked the few parents that have been following their children at camp, saying this is a confidence booster to the young athletes.
“Some parents will follow the team to Gaborone. We are pleased with that because it shows that parents appreciate the talent in these youngsters. It is more than a confidence booster to this winning team.”
Team Zimbabwe camped at Northlea High School for a week. Athletes trained at the tartan track at the National University of Science and Technology.
Last year Team Zimbabwe took 61 medals-19 gold, 20 silver, and 22 bronze.
Zimbabwe school athletes will compete against hosts Botswana Namibia, Lesotho, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, South Africa and the Island countries of the Comoros, Madagascar and Seychelles.
Participants will compete in the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1 500, the 4x100m and 4x200m relay events. In the field competitions, athletes will fight for gold in high jump, long jump, triple jump, javelin and discus.
The Cossasa competitions are a stepping stone for greater competitions and aim to expose talent within school going children.
Online Reporter