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Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe team’s preparations for the Confederation of Schools Sports of Southern Africa (Cossasa) Track and Field Championships in Botswana are now in full swing.
The team went into camp on Sunday at Northlea High School in Bulawayo in preparation for their title defence in Gaborone from April 22-26.

Participants will compete in the 100, 200, 400, 800, 1,500m, the 4x100m and 4x200m relay events.
In field events competition will be in high jump, triple jump, javelin, discus and long jump.

This year over 10 countries are expected to take part in the schools competition. South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe and the hosts Botswana have all confirmed their participation.

Island Cossasa member countries like Comoros, Mauritius, Madagadcar and the Seychelles are expected to take part as well.
National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) vice-president Enias Nhoro said preparations are going according to plan and they expect to cover all the essential training programmes before the trip.

“We started well and everything is going according to plan since day one,” said Nhoro.
Nhoro said the team will be doing their practice sessions at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) from today until Sunday so that athletes get used to the tartan track.

“We will move to Nust so that athletes get used to the track. We don’t want our athletes to have hard time adjusting in Bostwana,” he said.

National Association of Primary Schools Heads (Naph) chairperson for sports and welfare Elton Sinyosi said they have faith in the travelling squad.

“This year is going to be a difficult one, with the number of countries taking part bigger but we are not afraid because we have faith in our group to do the country proud like they did last year at home.

“Everything is going according to plan and almost everyone is in camp, just minor injuries which athletes sustained in their respective schools but we hope they will recover in time,” said Sinyosi.

Zimbabwe were crowned champions last year after scooping 61 medals — 19 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze.
In camp there is good young talent such as Yvonne Vanhuvaone, Tariro Nyamuka, Antonnetta Tembo, Abiola Ncube, Justice Dodzo and Adrian Chikunguru in the Under-18 category.

The juniors will be led by Mthabisi Dube and Ndumiso Ncube both from Bulawayo who were outstanding in both the Naph provincial and national championships.

The teams are coached by Phakamile Lisimati, Brian Nhubu and Vusumuzi Mlilo.