adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Youth Games are a deliberate national strategy by the Government to develop sport at grassroots level.
They are meant to nurture and develop talent from grassroots and help close the gap between higher performance sport and lower level sport.
This was said by the Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC) board member Obadiah Moyo in his keynote address at the civic reception which was held at the Small City Hall on Wednesday night.
“The games are also meant to create opportunities for all Zimbabweans and promote the highest standards in sport in the country,” said Moyo.
He said the games also promote the identification and nurturing of talent and added that they are now a conveyor belt of talent from grassroots to the highest levels.
Moyo also said it was important to recognise the role played by various municipalities throughout the country where the games have been held and singled out Bulawayo as the host for this year’s games as well as the inaugural 2003 games.
“What is important is to ensure we lobby various local authorities so that various sporting facilities are identified and refurbished,” said Moyo to the guests who included representatives from all the 10 participating provinces as well as Bulawayo City Council Town Clerk Middleton Nyoni who was representing the mayor, Local organising committee chief executive officer Raj Modi, SRC director for sport development Joseph Muchechetere and his fellow board member Ethan Dube.
For this year’s games, two handball courts were built at Luveve High School with Northlea High School getting a single court.
Moyo said sport also helped develop young people into responsible citizens.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo town clerk Nyoni said the local authority will always be there to give full support, guidance and facilitate the hosting of such events.
He said the Youth Games were a Government programme and should be treated with the seriousness they deserve.
“As a local authority, we are aware of the development needs of the youth hence the need to support each and every effort to ensure their total development and participation in sport,” said Nyoni in his welcoming remarks.
He urged local authorities and other stakeholders to start to breathe life into a sector that is full of potential capable of driving the country’s economy.
Online Reporter