Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube [email protected]
THE Confederation of Schools Sport Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) Games provide a vital platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and demonstrate the value of Zimbabwe’s Heritage-Based Curriculum, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo has said.
Speaking at the official opening of the Cossasa Games at White City on Monday, Minister Moyo said the Games were an important avenue for identifying and nurturing talent among learners across the region.
He said the Heritage-Based Curriculum was designed to look beyond academic excellence by encouraging learners to develop their abilities in areas such as sport, arts and other disciplines that could sustain them later in life.
“We look at a child not excelling in academics only but also in soccer, arts and fighting sports so that he can have a good life after school,” said Minister Moyo.
The Minister was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony, which was attended by officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and members of the Bulawayo community.
Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe are the five countries that have sent teams comprising learners from both primary and secondary schools to this year’s Games.
Minister Moyo also applauded parents who had travelled from the participating countries to support their children.
“We are happy to see some parents following their children from Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini and South Africa,” he said.
White City is expected to be a hive of activity over the next three days as young athletes compete in athletics, netball and volleyball in a bid to claim regional honours.
The Games are an important part of the region’s schools’ sport ecosystem, providing learners with exposure while creating opportunities for talent identification and development.
Minister Moyo said the athletes’ presence at the Games was a demonstration of what could be achieved when talent is recognised, discipline is cultivated and opportunities are created.
The Games are being held under the theme “One Region, One Spirit, One Champion”, which speaks to regional unity and the shared sporting spirit among young people across Southern Africa.
