The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
A total of 57 young sportspersons in primary schools have been selected for the Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) Athletics Championships team that is set to compete at the regional meet in Harare next month.
The pupils were chosen at the National Association of Primary School Heads (Naph) national athletics championships held in Harare on 21 and 22 March. They will be joined by secondary schools pupils whose selection is set to be completed tomorrow following the National Association for Secondary School Heads track and field championships that were held at Lomagundi College in Chinhoyi last Thursday and Friday.
Zimbabwe are the defending champions after retaining the title in Namibia having won it in 2015 in Lesotho. This year’s championships will run from 3 to 7 May.
Mashonaland West province emerged victorious at the Naph meet scooping 38 medals followed by Manicaland who finished with 31 medals while Harare clocked 29, Bulawayo returned with 22 and Masvingo amassed 31 although only seven of them were gold. The Cossasa team is made up of Under-14 and Under-17 athletes.
Matabeleland South improved their contribution to the national side with seven athletes making it to the list. The province’s Naph chairman, Elton Sinyosi said they were elated by the increased number saying enlisting the services of qualified coaches is slowly bearing results.
Meanwhile Sipepa Primary School pupil Junitor Moyo was the toast of Matabeleland North Province after winning three of the province’s eight medals in the Harare meet.
The 11-year-old Grade Seven pupil scooped a gold in long jump, a silver in the 200m sprint and in the 400m she took bronze.
