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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
THE Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Tabeth Kanengoni Malinga yesterday challenged the corporate world to contribute towards grassroots sports development. Speaking at the presentation of 500 indeflatable soccer balls which are part of the 5 000 sourced by the Organisation of Rural Association for Progress (Orap) at White City Stadium yesterday, Malinga said there was a need to encourage youngsters to take sports seriously as it is an avenue to make a living.
“The formation of the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture is the new Government’s acknowledgement of the power of these sectors in achieving socio-economic transformation.
“While we are still ecstatic about this formation we are cognisant of the challenge of meeting society’s expectations. Government has also positioned the sectors of sport, the arts and culture to engage in programmes that speak to the national agenda while investing in sportspersons who will in turn develop products and services that are significant to the growth of the national economy,” Malinga said.
The soccer balls that Orap sourced through their strategic partners Chevrolet and One World Football will be distributed to 44 schools in Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Midlands and Bulawayo Metropolitan Province.
Dumisani Nyoni, Orap chief strategy officer said his organisation was committed to using sport as a tool for development.
“Right now, we are challenging Zifa to provide schools with qualified coaches. It is our hope that these balls will help the kids progress in education, play and socialise in the process.
“We will distribute the balls over 12 months,” Nyoni said.
Former national Under-15 soccer coach Dumaza Dube and his assistants at Highlanders FC juniors Danny Ngwenya and Gift Lunga held demonstrations for the guests.
Girls and boys played five-a-side football with the drills meant to introduce youngsters to playing informally.
The Zifa education officer Brian Moyo welcomed the development and said his organisation would now concentrate on helping other provinces that have not benefited from the programme.
“We are grateful to Orap and its partners for assisting in development of football. Actually this programme is similar to the one that we are rolling out after getting aid from Fifa. Harare has benefited from a similar programme.
“We had not rolled out the programme in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands,” said Moyo.
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