Story by Mthokozisi Dube
TEAM Zimbabwe has entered a six-day training camp in Bulawayo as preparations intensify for the Confederation of University and College Sports Associations (CUCSA) Games set for Botswana from June 28 to July 5.
Athletes drawn from tertiary institutions across the country have assembled at Hillside Teachers’ College for the final phase of preparations before departing for Botswana on Sunday.
The camp is designed to strengthen team cohesion, sharpen competitiveness and fine-tune performance ahead of the regional tournament, which will bring together competitors from eight countries.
Athletes expressed confidence ahead of the competition, with many viewing the camp as a crucial platform to refine their skills and build team spirit.
“I won gold at the last edition and my focus is on defending my title. We have been preparing well at our respective institutions and hope this final phase of camp will help us perfect our skills,” said one athlete.
Another participant, preparing for a maiden appearance at the regional games, said:
“It is my first time attending the regional competition, but I am relying on the experience of my teammates to help me settle and perform well.”
Athletes are also targeting an improved performance after Zimbabwe’s strong showing at the previous edition.
“We performed well in South Africa, although we finished behind the hosts. Our aim is to improve on that performance this time around,” another athlete said.
Beyond competition, participants highlighted the importance of building networks and friendships through sport.
“We are happy to be in camp and will give our best. It is not only about sport but also about networking and building relationships with one another.”
The training camp comes as Zimbabwe Tertiary Sport (ZITS), formerly the Zimbabwe Tertiary Sports Union (ZITISU), continues a rebranding exercise aimed at modernising and strengthening tertiary sport in the country.
Zimbabwe Tertiary Sport President, Mr Edward Chekure, said preparations were progressing smoothly ahead of departure.
“It is all systems go for tertiary sport. We have held our sub-association and national competitions, and now it is time for the regional games. All our athletes are in camp and the roll call process has been completed. We are pleased that institutions have supported the athletes during their stay in camp. We will remain here until Sunday morning when we depart for Botswana.”
Zimbabwe heads into the competition on the back of a successful campaign at the 2024 games in South Africa, where the team finished third overall after collecting seven gold, 10 silver and eight bronze medals.
The delegation will be looking to build on that achievement and mount a strong challenge for honours when competition begins in Botswana next week.
