The Sunday News
Simbarashe Dube Sports Reporter
THE Confederation of School Sports Association of Southern Africa-bound Team Zimbabwe comprising 104 athletes depart for Lesotho today where they will participate in the regional track and field Games. The event, which is set to run from Thursday to 2 May, will see the Zimbabwean athletes engage teams from countries within the Southern African region.
Team Zimbabwe were in camp in Bulawayo for the past 10 days where they have been conducting their training sessions at White City Stadium and Northlea High School. Phillip Chikomwe, the Nash national head-in-charge of athletics, said the team was in good shape compared to previous years, adding that they would wrestle the mantle from defending champions, Namibia.
“This time around we have a strong team compared to the one that was there last year, the morale at the camp is high and the team will retain the title from the current champions, Namibia,” said Chikomwe.
Athletes from both the National Association of Secondary School Heads and National Association of Primary Heads will represent the country in the Under-17 and Under-14 categories.
The Nash team is made up of 49 athletes who were selected in Chiredzi during its championships while the Naph team will be represented by 55 athletes who were selected during the Nestle Athletics and Physical Education finals held in Bindura last month.
During the Team Zimbabwe camp athletes trained under the watchful eyes of five renowned coaches Silas Muringani from Harare, Briad Nhubu from Manicaland, Lisimati Phakamile from Matabeleland South, Lilian Chitiriro from Mashonaland East and Simon Mugura from Masvingo.
Among the country’s medal hopefuls are Enlita Ncube, Leo Tafirenyika, Godwin Moyo, Nyasha Sithole, Nomatter Kafudzaruva and Thubekani Dube.
The five are in Mauritius at the 2nd African Youth Championships, and they are expected back in the country tomorrow ahead of the team’s departure for Maseru.
Prior to the team’s departure there would be a send-off ceremony at Northlea High School which will be graced by Dan Moyo, Bulawayo provincial education director.
In 2013 Zimbabwe were the overall winners but failed to defend the title in 2014, losing out to Namibia on the last day of the Games.
Zimbabwe finished third after hosts Botswana.
