Youth Games to be spread across all districts
THE 22 sport codes that will feature in the rebranded Zimbabwe National Youth Games (ZNYG) to be held in Matabeleland North Province will be evenly distributed among districts as part of democratising the games.
Speaking during a presentation to stakeholders during an outreach programme on the rebranding of ZNYG 2017 edition on Friday Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Recreation Dr Godfrey Chipare said they want to grant districts in the hosting province the opportunity to feel being part of the games.
“As we rebrand by extending the number of sport codes we also want to democratise the spacious distribution of the games such that they will not only be held in one place but spread across all the districts in the host province.
“We used to have a situation where the provincial capital would host the games, however, this year’s edition will be different as we want to provide a platform for sustainable focus to talent identification,” said Dr Chipare.
He said the distribution was also going to be determined by the availability of infrastructure in the proposed plan.
“Appropriate structures will handle the distribution of the sport codes to ensure that it’s even. However, that will be determined by the infrastructure in place in that particularly district,” said Dr Chipare.
Matabeleland North is the first province to host the rebranded National Youth Games which will for the first time feature 22 sports codes up from eight.
Dr Chipare said Hwange District was going to be the command centre in the administration of the games citing hosting experience, standard infrastructure and human capital.
He acknowledged that the development had implications, mostly financial, but dispelled fears that the three months left for the kick-off of the games was not enough given the number of sporting disciplines.
“I’m here to confirm and underline Government’s commitment at a declaratory and resource level towards the hosting of the ZNYG. We are aware the rebranding quantitatively has implications but these challenges are meant to sharpen us towards issues that need to be attended to. We will need to work together in pulling resources, in fund-raising initiatives particularly with the private sector and NGOs who usually augment Government efforts.
“We appeal to you as stakeholders to play a positive role for the good of the province through constructive publicity which is key to mobilising funds,” said Dr Chipare.
Speaking at the same event, SRC Matabeleland North provincial coordinator Mr Newman Masuku called on stakeholders to assist in the amplifying of the games in tandem with the rebranding.
“As stakeholders in Hwange you have the experience and facilities to successfully host these important games. The committee is there but we have to amplify our efforts to be in tandem with the rebranding.”
The Ministry of Sport and Recreation has been carrying out outreach programmes to assess the feasibility of hosting the games in August.
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed their readiness to host the games but called on the sports body to work towards the renovation and capacitating venues with standard sporting facilities given that the province has poor facilities.