Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe State Universities Staff Games will make history next week when Paralympics events are included for the first time in the annual sports festival.
This year’s edition of the Games runs from July 20-26 at Mashava Campus, Great Zimbabwe University in Masvingo province, under the theme “Driving Innovation, Industrialisation and Collaboration Through Sports Towards NDS2 and Vision 2030”.
ZSUSG national vice-chairperson Mapfumo Tafirenyika said the move aligns with the President Mnangagwa’s mantra of “Leaving no one and no place behind”.
“It is a way of networking, sharing ideas in terms of how our nation can be innovated and industrialised, hence our theme borders around national development,” Tafirenyika said.
“This year, we are encompassing everybody to complement the President’s mantra.
“We are not going to leave anybody behind in terms of participation; that is why this year we have Paralympians with six games lined up for them.”
Heritage-based games like nhodo and tsoro have also been added to the programme.
At least 1 000 athletes are expected to compete as 12 universities battle for silverware.
These include Bindura University of Science Education, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Great Zimbabwe University, Gwanda State University, Harare Institute of Technology, Lupane State University, Midlands State University, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, National University of Science and Technology, University of Zimbabwe, and Zimbabwe Open University.
Women’s University in Africa, ZIMCHE, and the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development will also field teams.
Part of the proceeds will go towards buying Paralympics equipment for universities. The equipment will then be used by students and aspiring athletes from surrounding communities.
ZSUSG marketing and public relations officer Tichaona Mwadiwa said the goal was to grow the sport beyond campuses.
“We have many potential athletes with special needs across communities who, due to lack of resources, have failed to participate in sport,” Mwadiwa said.
“It is our role as higher and tertiary institutions to step out of our comfort zone and find a way to help them.
“Through these games, we are looking beyond medals . . . it is a time to share ideas and make a positive influence across communities.”
Zimbabwe has, over the years, tapped into the talent that is abundant in the country’s universities, spanning various sporting disciplines. Many sports associations have forged partnerships with different universities to create pathways for the development of athletes.
