adminPaul Pindani recently in KENZAMBA
GOVERNMENT remains committed to promoting sport and recreation for the well-being of the youths, women and girls.
This is in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Tino Machakaire, on Sunday said they were making deliberate efforts to ensure the provision of organised sport, arts and recreation programmes to communities across the country as part of Vision 2030.
He said this while addressing participants at the launch of the Wamambo Makonde Constituency Sports Tournament at Kenzamba Primary School.
The tournament was sponsored by Deputy Minister of Information, Broadcasting and Publicity, Kindness Paradza, who is also the Member of Parliament for Makonde.
“Apart from the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, sport also unifies people, influences identity, nation building, and peace and reconciliation, happiness for individuals, families and communities,” said Deputy Minister Machakaire.
He said the Ministry had established the Community Sport and Recreation club system as the bedrock of organised sporting activities in the village, feeding into the ward and constituency.
“We are grateful to clubs which have already registered with the SRC.
“For those lagging behind, may you please engage with the SRC for registration.
“Sport has always been a male domain and female athletes have always struggled to be taken seriously.
“Misconceptions prevail to say that women are perceived as frail and delicate beings, who are not supposed to participate in activities that involve any kind of physicality.
“For that reason, it is difficult for women to overcome family and social pressure to pursue their passion for sports.”
He said many local female athletes have shown they can transform themselves into success stories.
“Today, the nation is celebrating the Zimbabwe netball team, the Gems, for qualifying for the Netball World Cup to be held in South Africa,” said Machakaire.
Norman Karimaguti from Chowe district in Makonde told H-Metro the youths started preparing for the tournament in June.
“Such tournaments prevent youths from engaging in drug and alcohol abuse, as they keep them occupied,” said Karimaguti.
“It is through such tournaments that raw talent is exposed.”
He urged MP Paradza to bring football legends to Makonde to motivate the young players.
“There is abundant raw talent, but these kids lack exposure.
“I hope our MP will engage clubs such as Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders to be part of the tournament next year,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter