Lovemore Dube in MASERU, Lesotho
SOUTHERN Africa schools sport has been boosted by the admission of its body into the Africa Union Sports Council Region Five as an affiliate and the move is expected to enable schools to access government funding for the hosting and participation in regional international competitions.

Johnson Madhuku, the Confederation of Southern Africa Schools Sports Association member said that they were admitted to the powerful regional body earlier this year.

He said their coming on board was a positive step in the development of budding sport talent.

Madhuku said with two age groups below the age of 17 getting international exposure, this was a good development for the future of sport in the region.

AU Region 5 is a grouping of Central and Southern Africa countries drawn mainly from Sadc.

This year’s athletics event takes place at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru and has attracted the hosts Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe with several countries failing to make it because of a number of challenges some which include finances.

It has also emerged that the other nations do not have an organised grouping to co-ordinate participation in these Games. Zimbabwe’s participation has been made possible because of the collaborative efforts of the National Association of Primary School Heads and the National Association of Secondary School Heads under the National Association of School Heads banner.

“We met early this year in Botswana and AU Sports Council Region 5 admitted us as an affiliate.

“They will offer technical support and engage governments so that like their other Games schools sport which is the foundation for development gets funding. It has been a challenge for us to have regular events and travel around the region.

“Since we are now part of AU Sports Council, the future looks good for schools sport. We have been trying to reach out to corporate organisations and other groups for sponsorships but it has been low and this has seen some countries not taking part in some of the events.

In the future governments will now have an obligation to fund their countries’ participation,” said Madhuku.

The AU Sports Council Region 5 is the only one in Africa with a schools programme of this nature where athletics competitions for the member countries are held in the first term with ball games in a number of displines following in August.

The Games rotate among member countries and last year Botswana played host to the track and field championships. Bulawayo will host the ball Games in August. Madhuku said the Games were critical for the development of sport for both boys and girls.

“We have Under-14s and 17s taking part in these Games. It means as member countries we are able to measure up developmental programmes within schools and this goes beyond that as national sports associations take over once they are out of school through other competitions in the region and continent. Financial backing will be key as we move forward,” said Madhuku.

Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Zimbabwe attended Tuesday general assembly. They are the only paid up members in the region though the Batswanas were unable to bring their athletics team because teachers in Botswana were in negotiations with government for improved salaries. Their country’s participation has always been their government’s responsibility.

Madhuku said they would as from this year recognize excelling sports stars from the region. He said several athletes had risen from these championships to international recognition in a number of sporting disciplines.

“We have had a number of success stories. Our athletes have gone to represent their countries at the highest level,” said the Pamushana High School headmaster in Masvingo who is also the president of Nash.