Online Reporter
Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter
OVER 1 000 staff members from Sstate and private universities will converge at Great Zimbabwe University’s Mashava Campus later this month for the 2026 Zimbabwe State Universities Staff Games, with organisers describing the event as a strategic platform for promoting collaboration, innovation and national development through sport.
The week-long sporting festival will run from July 19 to 26, with the main competitions beginning on July 20.
This year’s edition is being held under the theme: “Driving Innovation, Industrialisation and Collaboration Through Sports Towards NDS2 and Vision 2030.”
Zimbabwe State Universities Staff Games marketing and public relations officer, Mr Tichaona Mwadiwa, said the annual games have grown into more than just a sporting competition, providing institutions of higher learning with an opportunity to strengthen professional relationships, exchange ideas and celebrate Government’s continued support for the higher education sector.
“This association brings together higher institutions of learning, particularly our state and private universities, under one banner where we come together and celebrate the immense support that has been extended to our universities by His Excellency, the President and Chancellor, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa,” said Mr Mwadiwa.
“This association creates a platform where universities come together to network, share ideas and strengthen collaboration.
“Through sport, we are also promoting the national development agenda as articulated under NDS2 and Vision 2030.”
He said Great Zimbabwe University was ready to host one of the country’s biggest gatherings of university employees, with preparations progressing according to plan.
“The National Organising Committee has been continuously assessing preparations and we are on the right track,” he said.
“Facilities are being prepared and we are confident that everything will be ready to successfully host the games.”
The games are expected to attract more than 1 000 participants, including athletes, officials and supporters, a development expected to inject significant economic activity into Mashava during the week-long event.
Mr Mwadiwa said all Zimbabwe’s state universities had confirmed participation, including 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, the National University of Science and Technology, the University of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Open University.
Private institutions, including Women’s University in Africa, will also participate alongside the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE), while the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development is expected to field teams.
“Our parent ministry has indicated that it will also participate. Together with our regulator, ZIMCHE, and private universities, this demonstrates the spirit of unity that characterises these games,” said Mr Mwadiwa.
Competitors will battle for honours in athletics, football, volleyball, basketball, tennis, netball, javelin and shot put, among other sporting disciplines for both men and women.
