Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Officer Commanding Manicaland Sports Gala enters its final day today (Friday), with champions set to be crowned across a range of sporting disciplines at Mutare Boys’ High School.
The week-long sporting showcase has drawn 945 officers from across the province, competing in soccer, netball, volleyball, basketball, athletics, golf, pool, darts, tug of war, chess and modelling.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony on Wednesday, Deputy Officer Commanding Manicaland, Assistant Commissioner George Mutimbanyoka, who represented Officer Commanding Manicaland, Commissioner Spetosomusa Chinobva, said sport plays a critical role in improving officers’ wellbeing, strengthening teamwork and contributing to national development.
“Sport is more than just competition. It is a powerful tool for both organisational and national development. Events such as these stimulate local businesses by attracting officers, stakeholders, exhibitors, families and members of the public.
“Our exhibitors and service providers have an opportunity to market their products, build networks and grow business. At the same time, healthy officers translate into reduced medical costs and increased productivity. A fit workforce is an economic asset,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Mutimbanyoka said the tournament was also helping to strengthen relationships among officers drawn from different stations across the province.
“The disciplines being contested today, including soccer, netball, volleyball, basketball, athletics, golf, pool, darts, tug of war, chess and modelling, all demand discipline, coordination, teamwork and trust.
“When officers from different stations come together to compete and interact, we break institutional silos and build camaraderie, unity of purpose and the esprit de corps that makes ZPCS strong. A united team succeeds both on the sporting field and in the execution of its duties,” he said.
He said the tournament was also contributing to the attainment of Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, which seeks to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy.
“Vision 2030 cannot be achieved without healthy, disciplined and united human capital. Through this tournament, which is running under the theme, ‘Building a Healthier, Stronger and United Workforce Through Sport’, we are directly contributing towards that national vision.
“We are nurturing healthy bodies, strong minds and a united service that is prepared to effectively deliver its mandate of safe, secure and humane correctional management,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Mutimbanyoka added that the sporting event aligns with Commissioner-General Moses Chihobvu’s vision of a professional and people-centred correctional service that prioritises the holistic welfare of its officers.
He urged participants to uphold the values of sportsmanship, fairness and unity throughout the competition.
“I encourage all participants to compete in the spirit of sportsmanship, fairness and unity. To our stakeholders and exhibitors, we thank you for partnering with us in promoting wellness and healthy lifestyles. May the best teams emerge victorious and may this tournament achieve its intended objectives,” he said.
