Online Reporter
Cutworth Masango-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Vocational Institutions Sports Association have aligned their 2026 provincial games with a national campaign against drug and substance abuse among youths aged 18 to 35.
VISA games have been growing in impact with each passing year, rekindling the kind of excitement brought by the National Youth Games, which used to be run by the Sports and Recreation Commission.
This year’s VISA games, running under the theme “From play to purpose: shaping a future of drug-free champions through sports in vocational training,” will serve as both a sporting competition and an educational platform.
VISA chairperson Blessing Kadiramwando is naturally excited about the prospects of staging the latest edition of the games.
Kadiramwando also revealed that VISA games, which are organised by the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training, had embraced the national mantra of “leaving no-one and no place behind.”
“Our ministry caters for youths between the ages of 18 and 35. We also accommodate less privileged youths academically, and we are catering for them regardless of ability and gender. It is an inclusive approach,” Kadiramwando said. The Northern Region competitions began on 7 June and run until 27 June. The Southern Region games are scheduled for 14-19 June. Winners from each province will advance to the national gala later this year.
Kadiramwando said the association deliberately structured this year’s calendar around the drug abuse challenge facing young people. “Our 2026 calendar has a theme that addresses challenges faced by youths every year, and this year we are shaping a future that is drug-free,” he said. The events will be held in phases across provinces to ensure nationwide coverage, he added.
“We do these games once every year, and we rotate them at every stage so that we leave no place and no one behind,” Kadiramwando said.
Every trainee enrolled at a vocational training centre is eligible to participate, with scouting also taking place during the competitions.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Ministry of Youth to promote inclusion, healthy lifestyles, and skills development among young people.
Zimbabwe has seen a rise in drug and substance abuse cases among youths in recent years, prompting Government and civil society to scale up prevention programmes.
