Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE agreed at less than two months’ notice to host this year’s Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (COSSASA) Games after South Africa could no longer stage the regional schools festival.
The National Association of Secondary School Heads (NASH) did not say why South Africa was unable to host.
Athletes from Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia and South Africa are expected in Bulawayo for the Games, which run from August 31 to September 2.
“We were only requested to host COSSASA in the second week of July, just to save the Games,” NASH president Cephas Mutumhe said.
“We did what we could, made the application to get permission and then started preparing for the competition.”
Zimbabwe also hosted the Games in 2024. At last year’s edition in Eswatini, its 258-member team led the gold-medal standings heading into the final day.
Mutumhe said organisers had inspected the venues and were satisfied with the progress made since accepting the late request.
“We have gone to see the venues as the host country. We are happy with the level of preparedness and the facilities available,” he said.
The Games cater for Under-14 and Under-17 athletes drawn from primary and secondary schools.
This year’s programme has been limited to athletics, football, netball and volleyball because of the short preparation period. Mutumhe did not identify the sporting codes omitted from the normal programme.
He said some countries were also unable to bring full contingents because of the cost involved.
“Because of the time-lines that have been given, we could not afford to have the whole range of sporting codes being participated in,” Mutumhe said.
“Because of the size of the contingent, some countries could not afford to bring all of their athletes.”
The Under-14 programme will be limited to athletics for boys and girls and boys’ football. Under-17 athletes will compete in athletics, football, netball and volleyball.
White City Stadium will be the main venue, while Gifford High School will host football matches.
St Columba’s High School may stage some volleyball matches, depending on the number of participating teams.
Zimbabwe will field 163 athletes, with the team scheduled to begin camp in Bulawayo on August 23.
The COSSASA executive is expected on August 26, three days before the participating countries arrive. Accreditation will take place on August 30, with competition beginning the following day.
The Games end on September 2, with teams scheduled to depart the next day.
This year’s event will run under the theme “One Region, One Spirit, One Champion.”
“Sport is not about medals alone. It is about relationships, making friends and sharing cultures,” Mutumhe said.
“We really cherish our children mixing and mingling with children from the region. We are also exposing them to sports tourism.”
