Online Reporter
Media Mpofu, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe National Paralympic and Youth Games are set to make a comeback in 2026, ending a Covid-enforced break that has kept them off the sporting calendar since 2019. Sports leaders believe their return will breathe new life into junior development and provide a proper yardstick for measuring national standards.
David Simba, a board member of the Sport and Recreation Commission, confirmed the news following a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
“The Paralympic and Youth Games will be back next year,” he said.
The meeting in Bulawayo drew delegates from Bulawayo Metropolitan, Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Midlands, who engaged directly with senior Ministry officials: Permanent Secretary Nicholas Moyo, Chief Director Eugenia Chidakwa, and senior officer Lovemore Chadenga.
Speaking after Simba’s announcement, Moyo urged organisers to rethink the format of the Games.
“As the Permanent Secretary, I do not want to see the old format of the Youth Games. We want to bring a livelier and better format,” said Moyo.
The meeting was the second of its kind, following a similar engagement in Harare two weeks earlier. Moyo said the roadshows were designed to hear directly from the sport’s “foot soldiers” and gather fresh ideas for the way forward.
Stakeholders raised concerns about poor facilities and a lack of equipment, with one delegate from Masvingo noting that many towns do not even have stadiums fit to host top-flight football.
Moyo stressed the need for the sector to embrace DIP — digitalisation, industrialisation and professionalisation — as the backbone of sports development.
“If we digitalise our system, we will be able to keep records of our athletes and they can easily be accessed. We cannot lose them. Industrialisation brings manufacturing and business into sport, which leads to high-quality equipment and creates opportunities for coaches and players. Professionalism helps in curbing match-fixing,” he said.
Moyo added that the Government was committed to stamping out match manipulation and substance abuse. He revealed that a taskforce would soon be established, while an Ethics Bill was already being drafted to tighten regulation.
Attendees welcomed the initiative and commended Moyo for opening up dialogue on the future of sport.
