adminBlessing Gondokondo
THE youth talent search which was launched by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation this year is beginning to bear fruits, with a number of marginalised, yet talented youngsters emerging from different areas. The talent search is mainly targeted at youths out of the school system. The Ministry of Sports and Recreation together with Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment has collaborated to afford Manicaland youths a chance to showcase their talents in different sporting genres that include soccer for men and women, netball and volleyball.
In Mutare West, a Marange soccer player, Tawanda Guvamombe, told The Weekender that he was dreaming of displaying his talents on a big stage.
“I am so happy for the opportunity presented to me by the Ministry of Sports. I was a regular member of our school team, but I could not go further with my talent because we could not qualify for the district finals.
“The introduction of these games has given us another chance to showcase our talents,” he said after being named man of the match.
Clifford Mujoko, an official with the Ministry of Sports, said the annual National Youth Games were only focusing on youths still at school, leaving out the out of school youths.
“As we have seen in the past, youths included in the National Youth Games teams are only those in schools, colleges and universities. Youths out of school have been disadvantaged for a long time and we hope these games will help them to show the world what they are made of.
“We, as the Ministry of Sports and Recreation have decided to go on a talent identification mission to help unearth hidden talents among youths in disadvantaged communities. The search started on March 5 and will cover the length and breadth of Manicaland,” said Mujoko. The programme has seen much more talent being unveiled in different districts in Manicaland.
More than 3 000 youths were said to have attended the sporting activities in Mutare North and Mutare South constituencies.
“This programme is funded by the youths themselves as well as some Members of the National Assembly. We are grateful for their support.
“This tour is aimed at building a strong Manicaland team that will participate in national sporting competitions,” he said.
“We are still at the constituency level. After this stage we will district finals where we will select the final teams to represent Manicaland at the national competitions at dates to be announced. We are hoping to get more support from Members of the National Assembly in the province,” said Mujoko.
Online Reporter