Government recognises importance of sport

THE Zimbabwe Government believes sport has the potential to shape the future of the country hence its unwavering support.

This was said by Isaiah Mpofu, the Deputy Director in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture at the launch of the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe (Naaz) logo and celebration of the new partnership with 5Brands Consulting Group at a city hotel on Friday.

“As Government, we recognise the immense potential of sport in shaping the future of our country. It is for this reason that we remain committed to providing both policy support and financial resources to ensure the growth of athletics and sport in general,” said Mpofu.

He said there were promoting development at grassroots level so that young athletes are identified, nurtured and given a pathway to success.

Mpofu said Government fully supports collaborations with international sporting bodies to bring training, expertise and global exposure to Zimbabwe athletes.

He said Zimbabwe encourages greater corporate investment in sport through incentives and sponsorship deals.

Mpofu said Government remained committed to working with stakeholders to ensure that facilities and training programmes meet international expectations that enable local athletes to compete on equal footing with peers from across the globe.

He re-affirmed Zimbabwe’s stance that sport is a strategic national priority in the nation’s development hence the need to work together.

Mpofu described the partnership of Naaz and 5Brands Consulting Group as the beginning of the journey to success.

He said the forthcoming events, the Region 5 Games in Namibia (July), Africa Junior Championships in Algeria (July), Africa Youth Olympics in Angola (June) and next year’s Maputo Junior Championships are part of the foundation towards the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, US.

Athletics gave Zimbabwe hope last year when in the 200m final, the country was alongside the United States.

Makanakaishe Charamba and Tapiwanashe Makarawu reached the final in a year the latter set a new Zimbabwean record in the 200m of 19,93 seconds.

“Each one of these competitions is a stepping stone that will prepare and sharpen our athletes to qualify and represent Zimbabwe at the Olympics in 2028. This journey starts today, here in Bulawayo, a city with a rich sporting heritage and a reputation for producing champions,” said Mpofu.

Peter Ndlovu, Gibson Homela, John Love, Samukeliso Moyo, Wayne Lancaster, Lewis Banda, Darren Winterboer, Collin Williams, Connie Sibanda, Pat Mckillop, Heath Streak, Brendan Dawson, Benjani Mwaruwari, Madinda Ndlovu, Chipo Soko and Francisca Gumbo are among some of the best talents to emerge from Bulawayo.

Mpofu noted that Zimbabwe was now among countries that recognise that sport has evolved to a billion dollar industry.

“Across the world, sport has evolved beyond mere competition, but is now a billion-dollar industry that fosters national pride, economic development and empowerment.

“Countries that have embraced sport as a business have not only excelled in global competitions but have also created lasting legacies of sporting excellence, job creation and economic opportunities,” said Mpofu.

He called on all sports to access world class training facilities, scientific coaching methods and exposure to international competitions.