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Anna Mguni

Ngqabutho Moyo Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Olympic Committee chief executive officer Anna Mguni has challenged schools to assist coaches in the preparation of athletes for the African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games.
She was speaking at the launch of the Games’ mascot Jumbo in Bulawayo on Saturday.
Mguni said that schools and other educational institutions should play an active role in preparing athletes for the upcoming Region Five Games this December.

“Schools and higher learning institutions should assist the national team coaches in the preparation of athletes for the upcoming Games as most of the athletes will be at school up to November or December, meaning there won’t be much free time for the coaches to try and prepare the athletes,” said Mguni.

She said that the competition dates were close and urged all athletes to work very hard to prepare themselves. She said resources and time might not allow the athletes to meet and train as a team.

“The Games are just a few months away, athletes should work very hard to prepare themselves and schools should help out in the preparation of their students who are part of the national teams as time and resources might not permit to get the teams in camp for training frequently,” she said

Mguni believes that Zimbabwe can produce good athletes if necessary support is provided.
“We can produce good teams and athletes as long as we support them in every way we can to get them ready for the Games,” said Mguni.
She applauded the reception that was given to Jumbo the mascot by the City of Kings community.

“The Bulawayo community has welcomed Jumbo well. I think it’s a good sign that shows that they are more than ready to host the Games successfully,” said Mguni.
The Games will run from December 5-14.

“UJumbo has successfully given the people of Bulawayo a small preview of what is to come in the upcoming Region Five Games,” said Mguni.
Mguni applauded the local organising committee that chose the elephant as the official symbol of the Games which is one of the natural features of Bulawayo and is part of the natural heritage.

“The local organising committee did a commendable job in choosing an elephant for our mascot, it was a good choice.  I am sure Jumbo will achieve his goal to represent all the sporting teams and to bring good luck to the teams representing Zimbabwe in the Region Five Games,” she said.

Countries expected to take part in the Games include the host country, Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, the Seychelles, Swaziland and Zambia.

The countries will compete in sporting disciplines like basketball, judo, football, netball, swimming, athletics, boxing, tennis and sport for those with disabilities.