adminIn a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Stan Mudenge during the launch of the games at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) yesterday, President Mugabe said institutions of higher learning should take the lead in promoting sport in the communities they serve.
“I want to urge the Vice Chancellors of all universities in Zimbabwe to give as much priority to sport and exercise as they give academic activities. When we grew up we came across the adage: ‘A healthy mind in a healthy body.’ We were also taught the benefits derived from exercise which we still value even to this day,” said President Mugabe.
“The benefits of exercise are many, and include sharpening the mind, instilling body and routine discipline, reducing the risk of undesirables such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and cardiac arrest just to mention a few. Of course these have to be supported by a healthy diet devoid of alcohol and tobacco.
“I urge every university to set aside a sporting afternoon where everyone should be encouraged to participate. I can assure you that everyone’s work performance will improve whether as teachers or administrators,” said President Mugabe.
The Head of State and Government Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said communities looked at universities for guidance and would emulate the good work that these institutions do.
The President commended university staff members for organising the games, which are christened after him. He also said the theme of the tournament “Promoting Unity and Diversity Through Sports” was befitting as it reflects on the character of all State universities.
Said President Mugabe: “Our universities, diverse as they may be in culture, in academic thrust and in people, have sought to unite themselves and speak in one voice of promoting sport in the academic world. Like any other sector, the academic world needs to promote a culture of sport.”
He also said it was pleasing that other sectors such as mining, banking, the media and the security sector were already running vibrant sporting activities for their staff.
“While this was happening university staff tended to confine their activities to pass rates, conference papers and research, research and more research. Some of us were wondering whether universities had not heard of the adage ‘All work and no play makes John a dull boy’,” said the President.
He challenged the universities to thrive for excellence in sport and aspire to compete with their counterparts in the region and beyond.
Meanwhile, Mudenge said the Government was working on establishing a sports academy at Bindura University of Science Education, which would offer training expertise in sport.
The initiative, said Mudenge, would integrate sport into the heart of education training in the country.
A majority of games would be played today and tomorrow while Friday has been set aside for athletics, which would end on Saturday afternoon.
Nust is playing host to the inaugural sporting tournament, which was organised by staff members from the country’s nine State universities to honour President Mugabe for his contribution in developing the education sector.
Participating universities are the University of Zimbabwe, Lupane State University, Midlands State University, Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe Open University, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Bindura University of Science Education and Harare Institute of Technology.
Online Reporter