ZANU PF to celebrate Africa Day through sports

Nyore Madzianike

Senior Reporter

ZANU PF will tomorrow host an Africa Day sports tournament at Canterbury Primary School in Ushewokunze Constituency, Harare, with more than 10 000 people expected to attend.

The sporting extravaganza is being organised by Sport Development for ED as part of efforts to celebrate African culture and identity through sport while also empowering youths and fighting drug and substance abuse.

Speaking ahead of the event, Sport Development for ED chairman Cde Gabriel Togarepi said the organisation had decided to use sport as a vehicle to celebrate Africa Day in a unique way.

“We saw it fit to celebrate our Africanness and our culture as Africans in a different way this time, where we are involving sports in our celebrations,” said Cde Togarepi.

He said Ushewokunze was deliberately chosen because it is one of Harare’s peri-urban communities with many disadvantaged youths who have limited access to sporting facilities.

“As an organisation, we chose this place mainly because Ushewokunze is one of the peri-urban communities of Harare where most people are regarded as low-income earners and others are disadvantaged.

“There are sports that are not available here at all and we looked at this community as disadvantaged because no one chooses where to be born.

“Sometimes one can be born in Binga yet talented in cricket.”

Cde Togarepi said the organisation, with assistance from ZANU PF member Cde Shadreck Mashayamombe, had constructed a multi-purpose sports court in the area to give youths access to sporting disciplines previously regarded as elite.

“There is a tennis court and a multi-purpose court that we have constructed with the help of Comrade Shadreck Mashayamombe to make sure that our young people have access to elite sport,” he said.

“These sports were regarded as elite because they were only found across Samora Machel Avenue and in high-end schools. However, we want to take this drive even to rural communities so that sports once regarded as elite are also found there.”

He said the organisation envisions a future where every child, regardless of geographical location, can participate in any sporting discipline.

“Golf has to be played in Muzarabani. No one should be surprised when people from rural communities come to Harare already knowing sports like golf,” said Cde Togarepi.

The tournament will feature various sporting disciplines, including soccer, netball, basketball, tennis and golf, while indoor games such as darts, chess and snooker will also be part of the programme.

Traditional games will also be showcased during the event.

“There are prizes to be won, including cash prizes and sports kits.”

He said the tournament was also part of broader efforts to fight drug and substance abuse among youths.

“As we fight drugs and substance abuse, we feel this is one thing that can occupy our young people and make sure that they are drawn away from drugs and given something positive to do that can enhance their health and wellness.

“So, we want young people who are healthy and who can contribute positively to the economy of our country.”

Cde Togarepi said ZANU PF National Political Commissar Cde Munyaradzi Machacha would be the guest of honour and would be accompanied by several senior Government and party officials.

“The guest of honour is Comrade Machacha, the National Political Commissar of ZANU PF. He will be accompanied by senior Government officials, including Minister of Energy and Power Development Cde July Moyo, Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Lieutenant General (Retired) Anselem Sanyatwe, as well as other senior party officials,” he said.

ZANU PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa is also expected to attend.

“It is going to be a hive of activity,” said Cde Togarepi.

“We are trying to marry the leadership, the business community and the young people in need. As an organisation, we are simply acting as a bridge to ensure that the talent existing in our communities is identified, promoted and supported.”

He emphasised that the event was not a political rally but a platform to identify and nurture talent among youths.

“This is not a rally. It is a programme where talent has to be seen, identified, promoted and supported,” he said.