adminBlessing Malinganiza
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has urged the national Under-20 rugby team, the Young Sables, to remain focused on their thrust to win major international tournaments.
He met the triumphant team, which won the African championship, at State House yesterday.
They are set to defend their crown in Kenya.
“This engagement comes against the backdrop of Team Zimbabwe Rugby’s success in the 2022 Rugby Afrique U-20 Barthes Trophy, which saw our boys being crowned as African Champions,” the President said.
“This initiative and achievement plays a pivotal role as we continue our journey to re-position and refocus our delivery system, which is a critical part towards an excelling sporting nation.
“I am reliably informed that the Junior Sables are the only No.1 Ranked U-20 Team in Zimbabwe and are about to leave for Kenya for the 2023 Barthes Afrique Trophy, which is also a world qualifier tournament.
“Your strife and drive as a team is in line with the achievements of the set sectorial target of improved performance, as spelt out in the National Development Strategy 1 for Youth, Sport and Culture.”
He added:
“As Government we continue to appreciate the role of sport and recreation as a fundamental tool in restoring broken character in our communities.
“The world of sport offers many choices that can appeal to a range of interests and which can develop particular strengths or protective factors in youths, thereby responding to social ills such as the blight of drug abuse.
“As you embark on your journey to qualify for the World Cup, I would like to urge you to remain focused and shun away from drug and substance abuse.
“As Youth in Sport I urge you to enhance and embrace the mantra of ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo.”
He also pledged financial support to the team as they head to Kenya for the 2023 Barthes Trophy.
Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Tino Machakaire, says the gathering of the team was a testimony of the success of the programmes being undertaken by his ministry.
“It brings me great joy to stand before you and welcome our guests to this auspicious event where the Zimbabwe Under 20 Rugby team has been granted a rare opportunity to interact with you, Your Excellency.
“As you may be aware, Your Excellency, Zimbabwe’s Rugby has evolved over the decade to become a powerhouse in Africa by nurturing excelling rugby players over the period as well as competing in high-profile events.
“This dovetails with the Ministry’s thrust, which is to develop and attain excellency in sport as envisaged under the National Development Strategy 1.
“The gathering of the U-20 rugby team here today is a clear testimony of the flagship programmes being undertaken by the Ministry.
“As a Ministry, we continuously seek to provide an enabling environment towards articulation of an integrated sport system which incorporates schools sport, community sport, sport associations, tertiary sport and uniformed services sport.
The Young Sables will today play an Independence send-off warm up match against HSC at the Harare Sports Club.
Online Reporter