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Nkosilathi Sibanda in HWANGE
WOULD any athlete perform well if they were made to eat a plateful of hard-thickened sadza, cabbage and half-done meat, a night before a 100m race?
Definitely no.
But that is the scenario here at the ongoing rebranded Zimbabwe National Youth Games.
For a sporting event touted as the local version of the grand Olympics, these went far below that comparison.
In fact, they brought disappointment and misery on athletes and sports lovers who have long expressed displeasure at the way sport is run in the country.
The Games, whose branding and standing is prestigious and widely laudable, have been reduced to a mere “village” gathering.
This sporting extravaganza started on Monday and is set to end tomorrow.
This year’s games are bigger and the first for the hosts, Matabeleland North.
In the previous editions only eight sport codes were contested. Most of these encompassed popular disciplines such as football, boxing, athletics and netball.
Now that there was a bigger thought to expand the competitions, the number increased to 22.
A startling observation about these “rebranded” Games proves that the increase in sport codes caused a converse reaction to how sport events are organised.
The Zimbabwe National Youth Games are the brainchild of the Ministry of Sport and Recreation.
The duty to run the Games solely lie with the Sports Commission who have been in charge for the past 14 years.
Sadly, there is nothing to show for that experience.
The rebranded edition of the competition shows the commitment of Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane in turning around the fortunes of sport in the country.
But he is working alone in a sea of mediocrity where the old guard simply refuse to change.
On Monday afternoon, athletes got wind that Government sourced “23 cows” to feed the athletes during the Games.
This was confirmed by Hlongwane.
But to everyone’s surprise, athletes went hungry for days, sipping on mahewu.
On Tuesday tensions were high before the start of the Games, as athletes questioned why they were not fed properly yet the minister announced food had been secured.
Most competitions were delayed and had to start after midday as officials held a lengthy meeting to clarify the issue.
These Games need adequate funding, knowledge sharing and support.
Online Reporter