adminNEWS that the Manicaland National Youth Games Local Organising Committee has nothing in its coffers barely a month before the province hosts the 13th edition of the annual event, covered elsewhere in this newspaper, makes sad reading.
There is no doubt that the Games have had their fair share of success stories in the past as they helped groom and nurture sporting talent from grassroots level.
The importance of sport as an industry to Zimbabweans is self evident. We might not have excelled much as we would have wanted especially in soccer, but it is a fact that we have families surviving, kids going to school from proceeds gained in sport. If this is not enough evidence that we should take sport seriously, then nothing ever will!
After all, Zimbabwe is a country where sport plays a crucial role in uniting and entertaining citizens and competitions such as the National Youth Games and one of the major platforms where talent can be identified for future perfection.
This is why we take sides with the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Mandi Chimene, when she demands more effort in mobilisation of resources towards the success of the Games.
For us neutrals, there is really nothing wrong with parents contributing towards the Games through their children in schools, simply because most, if not all, of the participants in these Games are of school going age.
It is sad that where some organise, some agonise!
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education needs no reminder that school children are the ones mainly taking part in these Games, hence their input is inevitable.
This is not about individual glory, neither is it about the glory of a certain organisation or ministry, it is all about the pride of a nation called Zimbabwe.
It is against this background that the need to come together and work with unity of purpose cannot be overemphasized.
It is more of national duty and whoever is not equal to the task, they as well must ship out.
That Government is burdened with a myriad of challenges that require funding is not a secret and any other progressive citizen would find reason in having communities help in fundraising for the Games.
The onus is also on members of the LOC to see to it that they now work overtime to raise the requisite resources to ensure the successful 13th edition of the Games.
Surely, how can people hold on to positions in society that they do not have any clue on how to manoeuvre? It is sad and unacceptable.
It brings us to the question whether people seconded to various positions within LOC were appointed on merit or they were appointed for something else other than their proven record to do the job they have been tasked on behalf of Manicaland.
It is rather late to relieve them off their duties at this stage, but it would have made sense to dissolve the LOC, only if we still had more time before the Games start.
At least something must seen to be done rather than have people keeping aloof as if all is well, yet they actually knew that there is nothing in the coffers as if they expected some sort of a miracle to happen on last minute. Let us be reminded that we need to take these Games seriously and all play our part in ensuring that we do not prove our enemies right.
Online Reporter