Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE road to Marondera is calling, and in Matabeleland South, the journey carries far more than athletes, kit bags and provincial colours. It carries the weight of expectation, the pride of a province and the dreams of young men and women eager to write their own chapter in Zimbabwean sporting history. As excitement builds ahead of the 2026
Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games, the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, has challenged stakeholders across the province to play a greater role in nurturing sport, describing it as a powerful vehicle for youth empowerment and a key pillar in the march towards Vision 2030.
Speaking on Tuesday during a vibrant send-off ceremony for the provincial team, Minister Nguluvhe painted a picture of sport as much more than competition. For him, it is a platform where confidence is forged, raw talent is discovered and communities are brought together under a shared sense of purpose. As the province prepares to send its finest young athletes to the national stage, he stressed that sport remains one of the most effective tools for shaping disciplined, ambitious and socially responsible citizens.
His remarks come as the Zimbabwe National Youth Games make a long-awaited return to the sporting calendar. The competition, which has traditionally served as a breeding ground for future stars, has not been staged since 2019 after the COVID-19 pandemic brought sport to a standstill across the country and beyond. Now, six years later, the Games are finally back, rekindling old rivalries and creating new opportunities for a generation of athletes who have patiently waited for their chance to shine.
For Matabeleland South, the stakes could hardly be higher. The province enters the competition not as hopeful challengers but as defending champions, eager to prove that their triumph in 2019 was no fleeting moment of glory.
Their delegation of 61 members will carry provincial hopes in athletics, boxing and tennis, determined to once again stand tall among Zimbabwe’s sporting powerhouses.
The 17th Edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games will be held in Marondera from 13 to 26 August 2026, and anticipation is already reaching fever pitch.
“The Zimbabwe National Youth Games provide young Zimbabweans with an opportunity to showcase their abilities, build confidence, promote discipline and contribute towards the development of sport in our country. As
Matabeleland South Province, we approach these Games with great pride, determination and a strong sense of responsibility.
“We are not travelling to Marondera merely to participate, but to compete as the defending champions from the last edition of the Games, which were held in Midlands Province in 2019, before the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Nguluvhe said.
The Minister’s words captured the mood perfectly. There is an unmistakable determination within the province to defend its crown, but equally important is the desire to build a stronger sporting culture that extends beyond a single competition. Looking ahead, Minister Nguluvhe said his office would advocate for a broader multi-stakeholder approach to sport development, bringing together government, businesses and communities to strengthen preparations for future competitions.
He noted that expanding participation across more sporting disciplines would require greater resource mobilisation, arguing that talented athletes should never be limited by a lack of support. His vision is one where Matabeleland
South fields larger teams across a wider range of sporting codes, giving more young people a chance to pursue excellence on the national stage.
The Minister reserved special praise for the athletes, coaches and organisers who have invested countless hours in preparation for the Games. Their dedication, he said, reflects the resilience and passion that continue to drive sport in the province despite challenges.
“We remain committed to creating wider participation opportunities in future competitions, and I urge various stakeholders, especially the business community, to play a part in supporting the development of sport in our province.
“To the athletes travelling to Marondera, you are a carefully selected and special group entrusted with the responsibility of carrying the Matabeleland South flag. We are not sending you merely to participate; we expect you to compete courageously and bring medals home. However, those medals must be pursued with discipline, respect, teamwork and fair play,” he said.
Those words are likely to resonate deeply with the athletes, many of whom have spent months preparing for the biggest challenge of their young sporting careers. They also stand as a reminder that success is measured not only by podium finishes but by character, sportsmanship and the values that competition inspires.
The confidence within the provincial camp is rooted in evidence. During the 2019 edition of the Games, Matabeleland South produced a memorable performance, collecting eight gold medals, six silver medals and five bronze medals for an impressive total haul of 19 medals. It was a campaign that announced the province as a formidable force and demonstrated the depth of talent hidden within its communities.
Minister Nguluvhe said that achievement reflects the immense talent within the province, as well as the commitment of athletes, coaches, technical officials, administrators, parents and the wider sporting community.
Also addressing the gathering was Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games Matabeleland South general manager Arthur Maphosa, who exuded confidence as he spoke about the team assembled for the challenge ahead.
According to Maphosa, the province has carefully selected a strong squad despite its modest size.
The first contingent will travel to Marondera for the youth games running from 13 to 18 August, while a second group will leave on 19 August for the Paralympic Games scheduled between 20 and 26 August.
“We are confident about the team that we have put together; we might be small in numbers, but we are big at heart. We will put up a good fight so that we can bring the gold home, and our team will be participating in athletics, boxing and tennis.
“We promise that we won’t come back without a gold medal, and we appreciate the support we have received from
Minister Nguluvhe and his office. We also appreciate the support that we have received from various stakeholders in the province,” Maphosa said.
It is the kind of bold declaration that often defines successful sporting campaigns. Confidence can be contagious, and within the Matabeleland South camp there appears to be no shortage of belief. From the officials guiding preparations to the athletes preparing to compete, there is a shared conviction that the province can once again stand on top of the podium. The Zimbabwe National Youth Games themselves have a proud legacy. First inaugurated in Bulawayo in 2003, the programme was introduced as a national strategy to strengthen sport development among
youths under the age of 20. Over the years, it has evolved into one of the country’s most important talent pipelines, providing aspiring athletes with a stage on which to test themselves against the best from every corner of Zimbabwe.
Featuring disciplines such as athletics, basketball, boxing, handball, football, netball and tennis, the Games have long served as a critical talent identification platform for national associations. Before the pandemic interruption, the pathway to qualification began in grassroots leagues and tournaments before progressing through district championships and provincial selections, ensuring that the country’s most promising young athletes earned their places through competition and merit.
Participants are drawn from schools, clubs, colleges and various sporting structures nationwide, creating a vibrant celebration of youthful talent. Beyond medals and trophies, however, the Games are designed to achieve something far greater. They use sport as a platform for life skills development, encourage investment in community sporting infrastructure and promote peace, unity and social cohesion among young Zimbabweans.
Held annually in August, the Games reach approximately 40 000 youths across the country and have rotated through Zimbabwe’s provinces since their inception, supported by the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and various partners.
