Young athletes make the cut for COSASA games

CHAKALISA DUBE
Staff Writer | Friday April 12, 2013 00:00

The 32 were selected last Friday at the annual Botswana Primary Schools Sports Association (BOPSSA) National track and field meet in Masunga. The competition caters for primary school pupils competing in the junior, intermediate and senior category. The athletes who will participate in track field and field events are from 10 regions around the country.

'The athletes are currently in camp that began on Monday at Oodi village and we expect them to end their camp by tomorrow (Friday).   The athletes will again assemble towards the end of the month for the final preparations before leaving for Zimbabwe,' BOPSSA spokesperson Lawrence Moseki told Mmegi Sport.   He added that technical team that will travel with the athletes for the Zimbabwe meet has also been selected.

The team is made up of track coaches, Boikhutso Nthobatsang from the North West region and Patrick Marumo. Rejoice Tabane and Dolphine Tshwaane from Kweneng Region and North West respectively will coach athletes participating in field events. Kamogelo Phillimon from the Central Region will be team medic.

BOPSSA national organiser Joseph Olaotse from Kgatleng Region and the association's vice secretary Tumelo Manuwa of the South East Region will also travel with the team as well as vice president at the association Golebaone Raditladi representing the Kgatleng Region. Meanwhile, the spokesperson said BOPSAA is targeting 12 medals at this year's event. 'Our aim is to collect six gold medals, three bronze and three gold medals at the games.

We believe this is a realistic goal based on the number and quality of athletes we are sending to Zimbabwe, 'he noted. The North West Region was crowned this year's national track and field champions. The winners collected 15 gold medals, nine silver and four bronze medals.

Second placed Central Region captured five gold medals, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals while third placed Kweneng managed six gold medals, 10 silver and five bronze medals.