Story by Tamuka Charakupa
THE Confederation of Southern Africa Schools Sports Association (COSSASA) has implored provinces to invest in sports development to match international standards.
Mashonaland West Provincial Athletes Board is not backing down in pursuing its 2028 Olympic Games target with intensive training running all year round.
Currently, the province is nurturing 64 learners who are being exposed to international technical training standards.
COSSASA head coach, who is also the Mashonaland West Provincial Athletics Board head coach Edmore Chatunga says investment in sports development is key to producing athletes who can compete at the international level.
“Our wish is for every province across the country to embrace this approach to sports development, we will develop as a country and have better performance.
“These athletes will be exposed to the high international scientific approach to coaching standards. We are identifying from as early as under 12 to under 20,” he said.
Mashonaland West Provincial Education Director Mr Gabriel Mhumha said the province is mobilising resources to have at least one school with standard rubberised running tracks.
“We are mobilising our schools, especially our A group of schools to invest in standard training facilities that match international standards so that our learners familiarise with facilities.
“This will complement our efforts as a province, so we will not only identify talent but nurture them till they reach the highest levels of competition.”
Mashonaland West Province is this year’s COSSASA national champion.
