Track discos worry ministry

Over the last couple of years most schools, especially in Bulawayo have resorted to the use of heavy music machines during their sporting events, especially track and field athletics competitions mainly for use as public address systems only for the machines to be turned into music players.

In most instances, the presence of music has resulted in total lack of concentration in the proceedings of the day by both parties as the music will be played full blast with pupils dancing to the tunes and increasing incidents of bad behaviour coupled with drunkenness.

“I think the trend is disturbing and when I read about it in your paper on Monday I was really shocked that such things are happening.

“I will get in touch with the Nash chairperson in my province to find out exactly what transpired at White City Stadium because I never got any report,” said the provincial education director for Bulawayo Province, Dan Moyo.

During an inter-house track and field athletics competition for Lobengula Secondary School at White City Stadium, there was chaos on the track as pupils were dancing to the music being blasted from the radio with some intruding onto the track during events.

Some teachers appeared to be drunk while those who were sober were having a torrid time trying to control the situation.

Track judges were not doing their normal work and it was really hard to tell who was an official, teacher or pupil.

It was almost the same chaotic situation at Cowdray Park Secondary School where a disc jockey was reportedly stabbed in front of pupils.

“Even if we have these disco machines  during competitions, the ministry’s position is that we expect the same order as in a school yard. We must not have chaos because of the disco machines. Music should be played at normal volume during interlude and at provincial level I think I will put a stop to that,” said a clearly concerned Moyo.

Meanwhile, all the five districts will have their inter-schools track and field athletics competitions this week as they prepare for the inter-district finals where a provincial team will be selected.

National finals are set for the National Sports Stadium in Harare next month.