MANICALAND has been hailed for providing the second highest number of participants, mbehind the host province at this year’s Zimbabwe National Youth Games in Chinhoyi.

THE 2016 edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games got underway this afternoon with the official opening ceremony at Chinhoyi stadium.

Kuwengwa thanked the host provinces for refurbishing the games venues as well as constructing new ones.

Masvingo has 166 athletes while Matebeleland South has 84, Harare 149, Bulawayo 166, Matebeleland North 53, Midlands 89, Mashonaland Central 84, Bulawayo 166, Mashonaland East 116.

Sports and Recreation Commission director business development and marketing Daniel Kuwengwa praised Manicaland for fielding the highest number of participants among the visiting provinces.The Games, however, have seen most provinces providing smaller numbers of participants with only two provinces, the hosts and Manicaland providing athletes above 200.’

I think we also need to applaud the host province – Mashonaland West – for a job well done. They have renovated most of the games venues as well as constructing new ones that will remain a legacy of the games after the event is over,’ said Kuwengwa.

Manicaland will field participants in all the games that include soccer for both boys and girls, netball, handball, athletics, tennis, boxing, volleyball. ‘Manicaland has shown that they are an organised province. Even if one looks as the way they have dressed their participants. I think some provinces have a lot to learn from Manicaland.