Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
ZIMPARKS Director General Professor Edson Gandiwa has officially opened the 2026 Director General’s Sports Tournament at Chinhoyi Caves, highlighting the critical link between employee wellness and effective wildlife conservation.
The annual tournament brings together personnel from diverse regions, departments, and stations to engage in sporting activities designed to foster teamwork, institutional cohesion, and unity across the organisation.
Prof Gandiwa characterised sports as a vital investment in human capital, particularly given the strenuous and demanding nature of wildlife protection duties.
“Staff wellness initiatives, including sports, should therefore be regarded as an integral part of our human capital development strategy rather than merely recreational activities,” he stated.
Mid Zambezi Region manager Mr Felix Chimeramombe noted that the event served as an ideal platform to strengthen workplace relationships while reinforcing a shared conservation mandate.
“A healthy workforce is a productive workforce,” Mr Chimeramombe said. “Sporting activities promote physical fitness, mental wellness, stress management, discipline, teamwork, and mutual respect.”
He also outlined ongoing regional infrastructure and conservation projects, including the rehabilitation of Rukomichi Bridge, the intensification of anti-poaching operations, and updates to staff welfare facilities.
In keeping with organisational tradition, Zimparks will donate furniture to a school in Lion’s Den on Wednesday on the sidelines of the tournament.
