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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
FOUR countries have confirmed participation at the forthcoming Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) ball games that will be held in Bulawayo from August 26-30.

The games will see athletes competing in six sporting codes in both the 13 years and under and the Under-17 age groups.

Disciplines on offer include basketball (boys and girls Under-17), football (boys and girls), netball (girls Under-13 and Under-17), sevens rugby (boys Under-17) tennis (all age groups boys and girls) and volleyball (boys and girls Under-17).

Cossasa president Johnson Madhuku said Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland will join hosts Zimbabwe, while talks with Zambia to join were still ongoing.

“We’re looking forward to successful games, more so these coming soon after Zimbabwe and Bulawayo in particular played host to very successful regional games in December — the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games,” said Madhuku.

He said the Cossasa executive had already toured all facilities to be used for the games and they were satisfied with their state.

“The tour was just a formality really as we knew the facilities are of world class standard,” said Madhuku who is also the headmaster of Pamushana High School in Bikita, Masvingo province.

Team Zimbabwe has announced that it will go into camp on August 15 at Northlea High School in Bulawayo.

Zimbabwe’s chef de mission, Arthur Maphosa, who also co-chairs Nash, and Naph president Cynthia Khumalo are spearheading Zimbabwe’s preparations and said they would be taking 258 athletes and officials into camp.

“We’re fielding full teams in all the sport codes because we’re the hosts. Our camp venue will be Northlea High School,” said Maphosa.

The Gwanda High School headmaster said they were grateful to the City of Bulawayo for availing White City and Barbourfields stadiums for free use. “Basketball will be at Christian Brothers’ College and Girls College while Hillside Teachers’ College will be our Games Village where all athletes and officials will be housed,” said Maphosa.

Team Zimbabwe selected its 13 years and under team during the Naph ball games held in Bulawayo last month while the Under-17 football team was finalised last week at the Arenel Under-17 national football finals.

Zimbabwe’s 13 years and under boys are the defending football champions of Cossasa and would be seeking to defend their title.