Antony Chawagarira
MARONDERA – Mashonaland East is ready to host this year’s National Youth and Paralympic Games, with athletes from the country’s 10 provinces already in camp ahead of the national sporting showcase.
The National Youth Games will run from August 12 to 18, followed by the Paralympic Games, with preparations now at an advanced stage following the inspection of venues and a final coordination meeting by Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games (ZNYPG) managers and sports administrators.
ZNYPG chief executive officer Jack Makate said all game villages and sporting venues had been inspected and were ready to host the athletes.
“We are happy that we hit our last meeting for the games. So we are happy that all the game villages are ready, all the grounds have been inspected,” he said.
Provinces have also confirmed that their teams are ready for the competition.
Midlands ZNYPG manager Janet Shoko said the province’s athletes had been in camp since July 20 and preparations had received adequate financial support.
“Our athletes are in camp; that’s for the youth games and the Paralympics. They joined the camp on the 20th. So far, we have received our full budget,” she said.
Mashonaland West ZNYPG manager Shadreck Chatunga said his province was finalising preparations and would participate in most sporting disciplines.
“We are making frantic efforts in terms of preparations for the games. As far as we are concerned, we are going to bring all the sports codes except for Judo and Wheelchair sports codes. Our teams are preparing now; our technical people are in place, and the athletes are ready,” he said.
Masvingo ZNYPG manager Olivers Guvuriro also confirmed that the province’s athletes were in camp and preparing for the games.
“As a province, I would like to confirm that we are very much prepared now. Our athletes have got into camp. They are now preparing for the games,” he said.
Host province Mashonaland East has put in place arrangements covering accommodation, food, transport and security.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Itayi Ndudzo said the province was ready to welcome participants from across the country.
“We want to notify Zimbabweans that here in Mashonaland East province we are now ready for the National Youth and Paralympic Games,” he said.
“Accommodation, food and transport, and safety arrangements are all in place. We are only waiting for the start of the event.”
The games, being held under the theme “Breaking the Silence Through Sport,” are expected to provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents while promoting awareness of the dangers of drug and substance abuse.
The competition will also serve as a talent identification platform, with outstanding athletes expected to be nurtured for possible representation of Zimbabwe at regional and international competitions.
