Story by Mthokozisi Dube
ZIMBABWE’S top tertiary athletes will converge in Harare this week for the rebranded Zimbabwe Tertiary Sports Festival, with places in the national team for the Confederation of University and College Sports Association Games up for grabs.
The high-stakes competition begins this Wednesday, bringing together three key bodies, the Zimbabwe University Sports Association, Technical Education Sport, and the Zimbabwe Teachers Colleges Sports Association in a multi-discipline contest to select Team Zimbabwe.
Harare Polytechnic will serve as the games village, hosting athletes competing for both medals and national selection in what is expected to be an intense showcase of emerging talent.
Universities have historically dominated the festival and are once again tipped to form the core of the national squad, as they seek to maintain their stronghold in tertiary sport.
The selected team will represent Zimbabwe at the regional CUCSA Games, set to be hosted by the University of Botswana under the Botswana Tertiary Student Sports Association.
Eight countries, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Lesotho, Zambia and South Africa are expected to compete at the regional showcase from June 28 to July 5.
With regional honours at stake, this week’s festival provides a critical platform for athletes to stake their claim and secure selection for national duty.
