Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
ALL is now set for the Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games to be held in Marondera, Mashonaland East Province, where the youth games will start on August 13 and run to August 18, while the Paralympic Games will run from August 20 to 26, 2026.
The games will start on Thursday, and teams from all the provinces of Zimbabwe are expected to be in Marondera today.
This was revealed by Mr Jack Makate, the Mashonaland East provincial national youth games chief executive officer in an interview with Zimpapers today.
“Before I get into details, I would like to appreciate the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, who has been playing a big role in steering our committees to this day,” he said.
“We faced a few challenges, and Advocate Ndudzo came through and stood with us, showing us the direction. So today we are here, and all 10 provinces have confirmed their participation in the national youth games.
“General managers from the provinces were here; we showed them the nine venues that we have prepared. All the places have been inspected, and we are happy.
“So tomorrow, August 13, we will be starting our youth games up to August 18. Then, from August 20 up to August 26, we will be having our Paralympic games.”
Mr Makate said teams from various provinces have already started arriving.
“We are happy because all provinces responded well. Today, we received teams from Mashonaland Central province, we will be receiving Masvingo Provincial teams soon,” Mr Makate said.
“Bulawayo and Matabeleland South said they are on their way already. We expect that by midnight all the teams from ten Provinces will be in Marondera
He urged the nation to come to Marondera and support the youth in their games.
“Come and support our youths. Let us drive our youths away from the streets, let us help them to stop drug and substance abuse and gender-based violence by showing them that they can do more.
“So we are saying to all stakeholders, come and support these youths, they are the future of this country.”
The National Youth and Paralympic Games were banned during the Covid 19 era, and they are now back and there is already excitement across Mashonaland East province.
The 2026 National Youth and Paralympic Games will be held under the theme: “Breaking the silence through sport.”
