Team Manicaland goes into camp

ATHLETES representing Manicaland in this year’s edition of the National Youth Games are expected to troop into camp next Thursday as the province steps up its preparations ahead of the annual multi-sporting discipline event.

The 2017 National Youth Games are scheduled to run from August 17 to 27 in Hwange, Matabeleland North Province.

Team Manicaland said they were leaving no stone unturned in their bid to win the 15th edition of the re-branded Zimbabwe National Youth Games.

Government announced the re-branding of the annual event last year, with this edition expected to feature a total of 22 disciplines instead of the usual eight.

Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Edward Shumba, said the 15th edition was a bit different and better as it now incorporates the tertiary, uniformed forces and community clubs.

“We are now at an advanced stage as far as the preparations of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games are concerned. We do not doubt the selections that have been done already.

“For the schools, the selection was done during the NASH Games that were held recently. Last weekend, a select of the community teams was done. The Games used to have eight sporting codes and mainly for the Under-18s, but now will extend to cover the Under23s from uniformed forces, tertiary institutions, schools platform as well as the community.

“This will ensure that all the talent is captured, creating a huge base from which to select talented athletes for higher level training and exposure,” he said.

Sports and Recreation Provincial co-ordinator for Manicaland, Shupikai Berejena, said the re-branding of the National Youth Games would ensure co-operation of members of the com- munity.

“We now have all the teams in pace and all the teams will go in camp from next Thursday to August16 at various centres near training venues.

“Our overall budget is $85 600. The re-branding also helps accommodate more members of the community. The 22 disciplines now include football, netball, volleyball, handball, rugby, cricket, hockey, basketball, weight lifting, shooting, rowing, athletics, boxing, cycling, swimming, tennis, karate, golf, pool, darts, chess and table tennis. We hope to perform better than we did last year,” he said.

Team Manicaland only won the 13th edition since the launch of the games in 2003. Last year, Masvingo emerged winners followed by Harare, Mashonaland West and Manicaland came fourth. Mashonaland East was on fifth place followed by Matabeleland North, Mashonaland Central, Matabeleland South and Midlands.