Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
THE Zanu PF Matabeleland South leadership has described the just-ended second edition of the Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi sports tournament as a game-changer as the nation intensifies the fight against drug and substance abuse among the youths.
The ruling party’s provincial Political Commissar, Cde Washington Nkomo, said the event, which brought together various stakeholders, was part of the party’s efforts to engage with the community and promote unity.
The two-day sports tournament saw 12 teams from all the province’s constituencies participating in netball and football competitions.
The sports gala was jointly hosted by Welton Primary School and Ronnie’s Arena (Mabidi Stadium) between Friday and Saturday and it coincided with VP Mohadi’s birthday celebrations, which is held on November 15 every year.
The tournament is a brainchild of the provincial ZANU PF Youth League to celebrate the legacy of the Vice President and the Second Republic.
Vice President Mohadi is revered for his commitment to improving and encouraging young people to engage in sport.
Already, last year’s winners, Gwanda-Tshitaudze teams, which excelled in both netball and soccer finals, are now engaging in a thriving goats rearing project, after investing the prize money into the youth empowerment initiative.
“All games at VP Mohadi’s sports expo were played as planned without any incidents and this year we saw a great improvement in the participating teams, which were composed mostly of talented youths from across the province,” said Cde Nkomo.
“In addition, the attendance was better if we compare it with the inaugural event we held in Gwanda last year. We had a full house and we commend the Beitbridge community and others from close districts in Matabeleland South for rallying behind this noble cause.
“This time around, we saw many organisations which work with the youth coming on board, supporting the programme and also amplifying the anti-drug and substance abuse message and issues related to sexual and reproductive health. We have seen a great improvement indeed.”
He highlighted that players in both the football and netball competitions had shown great focus and determination in sports development and that they had commitment throughout the tournament.
Cde Nkomo emphasised that although there were certain teams which came victorious at the end of the games, the community in Matabeleland South were the greatest winners as expressed by their full support during the sports gala.
He said the provincial leadership was impressed with the sports facilities in Beitbridge, which is in line with President Mnangagwa and the Second Republic’s envisaged transformation of the country to an upper-middle-income economy by the year 2030.
“We have learnt a lot from this programme this year and the organising committee responsible for this tournament will now sit and make a post-mortem and decide on the next venue and dates for the 2026 edition,” said Cde Nkomo.
In separate interviews, some youths who witnessed the sports fiesta lauded the Vice President for leading at the front in the fight against drug and substance abuse at the same time giving the youths an opportunity to showcase their inborn talents.
“We are excited and at the same time grateful to our Vice President, whose legacy we will continue to celebrate,” said Mr Rendani Ndou from Beitbridge West.
“This sports gala provides a huge platform for youths from remote areas to showcase their talents at a large forum.”
Another youth, Mr Ronald Moyo from Beitbridge East, said the tournament was a welcome development and welcomed the idea of holding it across all seven districts in the province.
He said this promoted a culture of inclusivity as everyone would have an opportunity to participate.
According to Miss Sibonakhaliso Ndlovu, a netball player from UMzingwane, said the sports gala would go a long way in ensuring the girl child is not left behind on issues of grassroots sports development.
