THE NATIONAL athletics team that will represent Zimbabwe at the Confederation of Schools Sports Association of Southern African (Cossasa) Games in Botswana started training at Northlea High School in Bulawayo on Monday. Sports Reporter
A team comprising 43 Under-14s and 47 Under-18s trained under the watchful eyes of National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe vice-president and coach Enius Nhoro, coaches Phakamile Lisimati, Briad Nhubu and Vusumuzi Mlilo.
The team is scheduled to leave for Botswana on April 22 for competitions that will kick off the following day.
Nhoro confirmed the developments adding that a team of 10 coaches will be part of the travelling contingent.
“The team is in camp and we have started training. We have 43 Under-14s and 47 Under-18s. They will be under the guidance of 10 coaches,” Nhoro said.
Zimbabwe will be under pressure to defend the title they won last time taking into consideration the limited time they have had to prepare.
The games were initially pencilled for next month, but they have been brought to April 23-27 as Botswana will be hosting yet another event, the African Youth Games in May.
Zimbabwe will pin their hopes on the Under-18s that will represent the country in the cross-country, track and field events.
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The team was selected during the National Secondary School Heads inter-provincial competitions that were held at Peterhouse College in Marondera last month.
A week later the Under-14 team was selected at Hwange Stadium after the National Association for Primary School Heads inter-provincial competitions that saw Mashonaland West emerging winners.
Last year Zimbabwe won the competition with 19 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze medals, followed by Namibia who collected 38 medals; 19 gold, 11 silver and 8 bronze.
