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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
NATIONAL Athletics Association of Zimbabwe director of coaching and talent identification Lisimati Phakamile is satisfied with the athletes set to represent the nation at the Africa Youth Games next month in Botswana.
Zimbabwe will be participating in 10 sport codes at the Games set for May 22 to 31 in Gaborone with over 2 000 athletes from across the African continent expected to take part in 20 sport disciplines.

For athletics, the AYG will be acting as a qualifier for the Youth Olympic Games scheduled for Nanjing, China, in August.
And a 12-member team of athletes made up of six boys and six girls has been in camp since April 10 in Bulawayo to prepare for the event under the watchful eye of Phakamile and the director of coaching believes they have a better opportunity of having more athletes qualifying for YOG this year.

“The team was in camp in Bulawayo, it was camping together with the team going to Botswana for the Cosasa Games. They will break camp tomorrow (today).
“When we called in the teams here we were working on sharpening their skills and performance since this is a delicate competition as we want to qualify for the Youth Olympic Games.

“The first time we sent two athletes (for YOG) and this time we want to send a bigger number. We stand a very good chance for team Zimbabwe to send good numbers to China.

Phakamile said some of the athletes are part of the team that will be competing at the Cosasa Games starting tomorrow in Gaborone. The regional Games will end on Saturday.

“A number of them are going to the Cosasa Games and definitely feeling the competition against athletes from schools from other countries will give them a clear picture of where they are,” Phakamile said.

Team
Boys: Samuel Tapera (100m), Titus Nyati (3000m), Munyaradzi Rutsate (100m)Tatenda Tembo (400m), Tinashe Gambe (800m), Robin Chitsato (200m).

Girls: Enlitha Ncube (3000m), Niama Dube (100m), Yvonne Vanhuvaone (400m), Nomagugu Ndlovu (triple jump), Mary Joy Mudyiravanji (1500m), Tapiwa Chetsanga (shot put).