By Archford Chirimudombo
Harare, (New Ziana) –The National Youth and Paralympic Games which got underway in Marondera, Mashonaland East province on Monday will also include several issues that affect communities, in addition to competing in sporting disciplines, a senior government official has said.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan province Charles Tawengwa said this on Monday when he saw off athletes who will represent the province at the games.
He said other issues the competitions will adress include drug and substance abuse, sexual and reproductive health rights, gender-based violence, stigma and discrimination, as well as digital violence and online abuse.
“I wish you the best of luck in all the disciplines that you will compete in. During the sojourn, you will be ambassadors for Harare Metropolitan province, and I challenge you to acquit yourselves well and leave a mark. I have been told that you prepared adequately to do well,” he said.
The National Youth Games, which are returning after a six-year hiatus, are scheduled for August 12 to 18, while the Paralympic Games will run from August 20 to 26 in Marondera under the theme, “Breaking the Silence Through Sport”.
Representatives from all 10 provinces are expected to converge on Marondera, with about 3 400 athletes set to participate in the two events.
During the Youth Games, competitors will battle for honours in athletics, basketball, boxing, football, netball, table tennis, tennis and volleyball, while Judo will also feature as an exhibition sport.
The Paralympic program includes athletics for visually impaired athletes in the T11 to T13 categories, Special Olympics athletics, goalball, wheelchair basketball, 11-a-side football for athletes with hearing impairment, netball for the hearing impaired and wheelchair athletics.
The games were disrupted in 2020 following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic andwere were subsequently placed on hold as authorities sought to align the event with best practices in safeguarding, athlete training and talent development pathways.
First introduced in 2003 in Bulawayo, the National Youth Games have been a key initiative aimed at promoting sports development among young people under the age of 20 years and, over the years, they have provided a platform for identifying, assessing and nurturing emerging sporting talent across the country.
Their revival comes as the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 intensifies efforts to raise competitive standards, including the introduction of qualifying standards for its Youth Games.
The new standards are set to take effect at the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games which will be held in Maputo, Mozambique, from December 4 to 13 this year.
New Ziana
