Naaz speaks on Cossasa poor show

Sport
Naaz has attributed the Cossasa team’s failure to retain its title in the just-ended games in Botswana to poor preparations.

NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) has attributed the Confederation of Schools Sports Association of Southern African (Cossasa) team’s failure to retain its title in the just-ended games in Botswana to poor preparations.

RONALD MOYO SPORTS REPORTER

Zimbabwe came third behind last year’s runners up Namibia and hosts Botswana.

This time they managed 11 gold, 22 silver and 17 bronze medals compared to last year’s 19 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze.

Naaz vice-president Enias Nhoro who travelled with the team, said although the competition improves in standards every year, there were some factors such as poor preparations and lack of continuity in developing athletes that hindered the growth of the sport in the country.

“The competition rises in standards every year, but we also needed the involvement of the corporate world and the government to assist us before travelling.

“We started our preparations too late because we did not have enough resources,” he said.

“I think we should also work on athletics from the grassroots, but it is difficult because we do not have resources. The athletes tried their best on the track, but we lost to Namibia in the field events because they obtained 15 of their 17 gold medals from the field events so we should work on more technical events.”

The association had previously cried out for financial support from the government and the corporate world as it failed to camp the team in time ahead of the competition.

Zimbabwe, however, managed to produce one athlete who will take part in the world junior championships slated for US.

Enlita Ncube romped home in four minutes, nine seconds in the Under-18 women’s 1 500m category to book a ticket to compete in the world junior championships.