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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE finalised the squad for the seventh edition of the African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games that will be held in Angola in December.

Team Zimbabwe officials are contemplating setting up a training base for the squad either in Bulawayo or Hwange, as the two places are said to have similar climatic conditions to Luanda, venue for the biannual games.

Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) acting director-general Joseph Muchechetere said the selection committee had approved the squad, although the final decision, which is merely academic, will be made by the board on Monday.

“The Monday decision is merely academic. It’s just a procedure that has to be followed because once the team has been approved, the rest is formality. Once the board endorses, as expected, we will then come up with camping logistics, but the technical team wants to set up base either in Bulawayo or the coal mining town of Hwange,” said Muchechetere.

He said they would want to have a proper camping period, so that athletes get to know each other and embrace the idea that they are one team even though they will be competing in different sporting codes.

“Our athletes come from different geographical regions of the country and camping will help us become one, understand our vision and what we want as a country. Our hope is that we depart for Luanda at least four days before the games start,” said Muchechetere.

The Luanda Games will run from December 5-18.

The AUSC Region 5 is the sports arm of the African Union and was formed in the 1960s. Its aim is to use sports to achieve peace, integration and unity in Africa, by using sport as a vehicle of encouraging people to develop and come together, irrespective of colour, economic status, political, class, or gender.

AUSC Region 5 is made up of Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe —

@skhumoyo2000.