Youths urged to take up sport

Peter Phiri, Sports Correspondent
ZANU-PF candidate for Makokoba Constituency and a member of the Politburo Tshinga Dube has pledged to help youths through sport.
Dube was speaking at the end of the inaugural Makokoba Football Challenge yesterday. The event is held to remember and celebrate the talents of stars that have come out of the suburb.
He said people had a wrong perception of the oldest township in Bulawayo, thinking it is a breeding place for all sorts of social vices yet youths can be embraced through sport such as football and netball.

‘‘I want all the youths in Makokoba to play football and netball as well as be involved in music and arts. We can help these youths to be like their heroes like the late Adam Ndlovu, his brother Peter, Zenzo Moyo, Beater Mangethe and others. Youths should be urged to take sports seriously since it can be a source of livelihood which can change lives. We need to uplift and inspire our youths so that they realise their dreams,’’ he said.
Dube thanked all the people who attended the football tournament which he described as a success.

‘‘I would like to thank all of you who sacrificed their time to attend this tournament. Actually the tournament has been a success considering this big turnout. Let me also say that this is not the first and last time we are holding this tournament. This will be a permanent feature on the Makokoba sporting calendar as we celebrate our well being. Makokoba will once again retain its vibrancy of old as it comes alive through sports and the arts,’’ said Dube.

As a starting point Dube said he would help the youths with sporting and musical equipment to kick start their careers.
‘‘I will acquire football and netball uniforms for these youths while those who are into music will also get musical equipment,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, Tigers won the inaugural Makokoba Football Challenge when they dismissed a determined Real Makwee 2-1 at Makokoba’s 11th Street soccer pitch.

Real Makwee drew first blood in the first half after 15 minutes through the outstanding Busani Ncube.
Tiger Boys leveled matters in the second half through Chengetai Sibanda before Zibusiso Hadebe sealed victory with two minutes left on the clock.
The match was evenly balanced with the crowd rallying behind favourites Real Makwee.

Both sides created few scoring chances as they employed a cautious approach.
Real Makwee were the first to threaten the Tiger Boys goal area in the 13th minute when Tatenda Magaisa’s long range shot just missed the target.
A minute latter Ncube broke the deadlock after some commotion in the Tiger Boys box when their defence failed to deal with a harmless cross from a corner kick.