adminSikhumbuzo Moyo
TEAM Zimbabwe will field a strong team for the sixth edition of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa Zone Six Games that will be held in Bulawayo next year, an official said yesterday.Sebastian Garikai, deputy chef de mission (technical) for Team Zimbabwe said as hosts, there was no reason not to field a full and strong team since there were no travelling costs involved and border issues to worry about.
“We don’t have travel costs because we are at home and as such we are going to field a full contingent of the team in every discipline,” said Garikai.
He said in the past South Africa, which has been a dominant force at the Games, used to have the added advantage of fielding a full strength team in all the disciplines while other countries would be having depleted sides due to various constraints.
“We acknowledge that they would also have prepared well for the meeting but the numbers factor also plays a role,” said Garikai.
He said preparations towards a successful event next year were already in motion with the selection of coaches having started and expected to be concluded by the end of this month.
“As you may be aware the process started last week and we hope to be done by the end of the month after which we shall call the successful individuals for an induction workshop,” said Garikai, a Physical Education teacher at Prince Edward High School in Harare.
The deputy chef de mission said with the number of countries that participate at the Games increasing to 15, competition will be stiff hence the need for early and thorough preparations.
Already seven venues around the city have been identified for use next year and the Zonal Organising Committee has already inspected the venues.
Bulawayo Athletics Club will be used for tennis, White City Stadium for athletics, soccer and netball, City Pool, Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Halls for basketball, judo and boxing.
The Council of Ministers of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) Zone VI resolved at a meeting of 23 November, 1997 in Cabinda, Angola, to institute the Zone Six Under-20 Youth Games.
On 7 September, 1999 during a special meeting of the Zone Six Supreme Council for Sport in Africa in Johannesburg, it was agreed that the Games be held biennial on a rotational basis.
The Games have since been organised and hosted by Mozambique 2004, Namibia 2006, South Africa 2008, Swaziland 2010 and Zambia played host to the fifth edition in 2012.
The aim of the event is to use sports to achieve peace, integration and unity in Africa. The Games bring together different people from all over Southern Africa, who not only compete for medals but build lasting friendships during and after the Games.
The event promotes inter-cultural dialogue among the participating countries. Sport has the power to unite people and knows no language, culture or race. It speaks to youth and can create hope. It is powerful in breaking down racial barriers.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu