Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE annual Agricultural Colleges Sports Gala, held last week at Esigodini Agricultural College, has been praised as an essential platform for nurturing sporting talent, fostering youth development and tackling social challenges such as drug and substance abuse.
Organised under the Zimbabwe Agricultural Colleges Sports Association (Zacsa), the week-long event brought together students from eight agricultural institutions: Chibero Agricultural College, Gwebi College of Agriculture, Kushinga-Phikelela Polytechnic, Mlezu Agricultural College, Mazowe Veterinary College, Rio Tinto Agricultural College, Shamva Agricultural College and the host, Esigodini Agricultural College.
Participants competed across a wide range of disciplines, including football, netball, volleyball, darts, tug of war, chess and pool, among others. Beyond the competitive aspect, the gala provided an opportunity for students to engage in positive social interaction, develop life skills and build unity among institutions.
“It’s refreshing to take a break from our usual routine of agricultural studies and focus on sports. The competition was intense and pushed us beyond our comfort zones. We had to be disciplined and work as a team to do well,” said Beatrice Moyo, a student from Esigodini Agricultural College.
Moyo also highlighted the academic benefits of interacting with students from other colleges.
“It wasn’t just about sports. We discussed academic issues too. With many young people getting involved in drugs these days, platforms like this keep us positively engaged and productive.”
Tatenda Nyandoro from Shamva Agricultural College noted the cultural and social value of the event.
“This was my first time visiting Matabeleland South Province. I learnt a lot about different cultures and I’m pleased that women were given equal opportunities to participate in all the sporting disciplines. Sport is often overlooked at tertiary level, but this platform allows us to showcase our talents. I’m passionate about sports, and this experience has been empowering,” she said.
Zacsa chairperson, Agnecious Murove, highlighted the role of sport within the agricultural college framework.
“The purpose of these games is to promote sporting activities across agricultural colleges and provide a platform for students and staff to engage in knowledge-sharing and life skills development,” he said.
Murove said that sport enhances physical fitness — an important aspect in agriculture, which is a highly practical field.
“There’s a strong link between physical wellness and academic performance. These games also help to identify and nurture talent. Some students have gone on to play for professional teams or pursue careers in sport after being discovered here,” he said.
Esigodini Agricultural College Principal and gala patron, Farai Gomo, said that the event is typically held in March or April, with hosting duties rotating among colleges. He noted students continue their academic lessons while training regularly throughout the year in preparation for the gala.
“This system offers students valuable exposure to other institutions and staff also benefit through the exchange of ideas and best practices to implement at their respective colleges,” said Gomo.
The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Davis Marapira, who described the sports gala as a strategic initiative for grooming the nation’s future agricultural technocrats.
“The annual Zacsa Games are more than just a celebration of athleticism. They are a platform for building unity, discipline and resilience. These are the very qualities we require in agriculture. The teamwork, strategy and perseverance learnt through sport are the same values that drive success on the land. The strong, focused and disciplined young people we celebrate today are the leaders of tomorrow’s agricultural revolution,” said the Deputy Minister. — @DubeMatutu
