Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube [email protected]
THE Roman Catholic Church Archbishop of Bulawayo Alex Thomas has praised sport’s role in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
The Most Reverend was speaking at the blessings ceremony for the Emmerson Mnangagwa National Sports and Community Development Initiative Shop in Bulawayo on Sunday afternoon.
Once operating in full throttle the Community Development Initiative will drive nationwide sport development with the provision of cheap sporting equipment and refurbishment of facilities.
Politburo member Elifasi Mashaba was in attendance at the ceremony in which Father Batsirayi of St Mary’s Basillica presided.
Archbishop Thomas said the opening of the shop is important to youths as they need sport to help them in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse.
“They have taken time to make it happen and it has happened, everything has time, God allows it to happen, he has allowed it to happen,” he said referring to the opening of the shop in the city.
“It is very important for the future of our nation as they are targeting youths,” said the senior cleric.
He said parents were doing their best to educate children but however all the efforts were being thwarted by the prevailing situation of youths being afflicted to wrong habits.
“All parents are doing the best to educate them. The current situation is very scary there are into so many activities like alcohol and drug abuse,” he said.
He said sports activities may help them become better youths who are physical and mentally fit.
“Through sports activities they may have physical and mental exercise so that they can forget all about these evils,” he stressed.
He said many talented youths have suddenly become useless and ended up in the streets.
“I am pleased this is going to help them,” said the Archbishop Thomas.
