By Memory Tadiwa Karavina
Head girl, Zvomwoyo Secondary School
Pupils at Zvomwoyo Secondary School in Buhera, Manicaland, have welcomed the hosting of school sports competitions in their zone, but some say fixture clashes and short preparation time could limit participation.
The zonal Under-17 games were scheduled for May 19, 2026, at Betera High School, while district competitions will take place at the same venue on May 22.
The competitions will cover several sporting disciplines, except Under-20 girls netball.
Hosting the games nearby gives pupils from the community a chance to take part in sport without travelling long distances.
However, the programme has raised concern among pupils who want to compete in more than one discipline.
Some want to play darts and take part in ball games, but the events take place at the same time.
“We are appealing to the Sports Executive Committee to consider spacing darts and ball games so that participants can compete in more than one discipline,” said learner Nesbert Mhandu
“Better scheduling would give more children a fair chance to take part, especially those with talent in different sports,” added his colleague Shernwell Muchandibaya.
Some schools reportedly face pressure because they have limited time to prepare for the competitions and raise affiliation fees.
“Schools need enough time to organise teams, train properly and meet competition requirements,” said one of the teachers Edmore Toindepi.
While the games have excited many pupils, the short notice may affect smaller schools that do not have enough resources.
