talent showcase: Bulawayo rolls out carpet for Southern Africa’s young sporting stars

**Innocent Kurira, [email protected] **

BULAWAYO is preparing for an action-packed weekend as young athletes from across Southern Africa begin arriving for the Confederation of School Sport Associations of Southern Africa (Cossasa) Games.

By Monday, the city will be transformed into a hub of sporting talent as hundreds of schoolchildren from around the region compete in one of the biggest school sporting events on the calendar.

The Games officially run from August 31 to September 2, but the excitement has already started building. Delegations began arriving yesterday evening and are expected to continue streaming into the city throughout the weekend.

Over the next few days, visitors will be hard to miss. Buses carrying athletes, coaches and officials will roll into Bulawayo, accommodation centres will fill up and teams will put the finishing touches to their preparations before competition gets under way.

Once the Games begin on Monday, attention will shift from arrivals and preparations to the sporting arena.

Athletes will compete in athletics, football, netball and volleyball, with some of Southern Africa’s brightest young talents eager to showcase their abilities on the regional stage.

Organisers say all systems are in place.

National Association of Secondary School Heads president Cephas Mutumhe expressed confidence that Bulawayo is ready to host the event.

“We are ready. The teams start arriving on Friday evening and they will continue coming through Saturday, Sunday. By Monday, when the Games start, we should have everyone here and ready to compete,” said Mutumhe.

The influx of visitors is expected to give Bulawayo a lively atmosphere as delegations from Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia and South Africa join Zimbabwe’s own contingent for the tournament.

For Bulawayo, the event represents more than just a sporting competition. It is an opportunity to showcase the city’s sporting infrastructure, hospitality and ability to host major regional events.

The Games will feature Under-14 and Under-17 athletes. The younger age group will compete in athletics and boys’ football, while Under-17 competitors will also battle for honours in netball and volleyball.

White City Stadium will host the athletics competition, while football matches will be played at Gifford High School. St Columba’s High School may also be used as a volleyball venue depending on the final number of participating teams.

Behind every athlete arriving in Bulawayo lies a story of hard work and determination.

To earn a place at the Games, competitors first had to progress through school sport structures that include inter-house contests, cluster competitions, district tournaments, provincial championships and national selections.

Now they have the chance to test themselves against the best young athletes from neighbouring countries.

For many participants, this will be their first experience of international competition. For others, it could mark the beginning of a journey that leads to higher levels of sport in the years ahead.

That is one of the enduring attractions of the Cossasa Games. Beyond the medals and trophies, the event allows young people from different countries to meet, learn from one another and build friendships that cross national borders.

Mutumhe has consistently highlighted the role sport plays in bringing young people together and promoting cultural exchange across the region.

This year’s theme, “One region, one spirit, and one champion”, reflects that vision.

Zimbabwe will be represented by a 163-member delegation carrying the hopes of the host nation. With home support behind them and months of preparation already completed, the country’s young athletes will be eager to make their mark when the Games get under way on Monday.