adminCaroline Magenga Sports Reporter
HARARE Province might fail to send a full squad to the annual Youth Games in Masvingo next month due to financial challenges.
Acting deputy director for Secondary and Non-Formal Education, Valerio Mukova, said they are struggling to raise US$89 000 for the trip.
“Our desire is to send the full squad of 250 athletes and 50 officials but as it stands we are still to gather the full amount of US$89 000 needed for this trip.
“We have appealed to the corporate and business world for funding so that we will be able to meet the cost of camping, uniforms, food and other costs which will be incurred,” he said.
The Harare team dominated previous editions of the competition, coming out tops in nine out of 11 editions, with Bulawayo having won last year’s competition.
“We dominated the Youth Games for a long time and, as a result, we relaxed, and took it for granted that we are the best but we paid the price in Bulawayo last year when we came fourth,” said Mukova.
“This year, however, we are not going to leave anything to chance. We have intensified our training and believe that by working hard , staying focused and going the extra mile in our training.
“There is nothing that can stop us from reclaiming our position at the top,” said Mukova .
Harare will go into full camp a few days before the youth competition starts but training is already in full swing with trainers and coaches having recently met to outline training strategies to be followed by the athletes in their respective districts.
Online Reporter