News / National
Return of Zimbabwe youth games
19 hrs ago | 760 Views
The Zimbabwe National Youth Games will make a much-anticipated return next year, with Mashonaland East set to host the revived interprovincial sporting competition, six years after it was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The announcement was made by Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) board chairperson, Nathaniel Madzivanyika, during a provincial tour in Mutare on Wednesday. The tour aims to engage provincial sports leadership, understand grassroots challenges, and explore potential solutions.
Inaugurated in 2003 in Bulawayo, the Zimbabwe National Youth Games were designed to promote sport development among youths under the age of 20. The competition encompasses athletics, basketball, boxing, handball, football, netball, and tennis.
Before the hiatus, teams were assembled through local leagues and district championships, drawing participants from schools, clubs, and colleges. The Games have historically served as a platform for talent identification, life skills development, promotion of sports infrastructure, and fostering national unity.
Madzivanyika said: "We are here to confirm the return of the Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games in 2026. The first host province upon their return will be Mashonaland East."
The Games, held annually in August, typically engage around 40,000 youths from across the country. They rotate among provinces with support from the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, national associations, and other stakeholders.
Madzivanyika also highlighted the importance of sports in addressing societal challenges such as drug and substance abuse, stressing the need to strengthen provincial and district sport and recreation structures.
"Government remains committed to supporting provincial SRC structures to bolster sporting programmes. Initiatives such as land banks for centres of excellence, farming, and office space will further enhance sports promotion and youth empowerment," he said.
The SRC board chair reaffirmed the body's dedication to leveraging sports as a tool for development, talent nurturing, and community engagement, ensuring that the Zimbabwe National Youth Games remain a cornerstone of national youth development.
The announcement was made by Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) board chairperson, Nathaniel Madzivanyika, during a provincial tour in Mutare on Wednesday. The tour aims to engage provincial sports leadership, understand grassroots challenges, and explore potential solutions.
Inaugurated in 2003 in Bulawayo, the Zimbabwe National Youth Games were designed to promote sport development among youths under the age of 20. The competition encompasses athletics, basketball, boxing, handball, football, netball, and tennis.
Before the hiatus, teams were assembled through local leagues and district championships, drawing participants from schools, clubs, and colleges. The Games have historically served as a platform for talent identification, life skills development, promotion of sports infrastructure, and fostering national unity.
The Games, held annually in August, typically engage around 40,000 youths from across the country. They rotate among provinces with support from the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, national associations, and other stakeholders.
Madzivanyika also highlighted the importance of sports in addressing societal challenges such as drug and substance abuse, stressing the need to strengthen provincial and district sport and recreation structures.
"Government remains committed to supporting provincial SRC structures to bolster sporting programmes. Initiatives such as land banks for centres of excellence, farming, and office space will further enhance sports promotion and youth empowerment," he said.
The SRC board chair reaffirmed the body's dedication to leveraging sports as a tool for development, talent nurturing, and community engagement, ensuring that the Zimbabwe National Youth Games remain a cornerstone of national youth development.
Source - Manica Post
