Speaking at the official opening of the 34th edition of the national youth games recently hosted by Masvingo province, Minister of Education Lazarus Dokora said limited financial resources would put an end to state funding of the sporting event.
“We are going to make it a policy that every school child pays $1, which will be used towards the hosting of the event,” said Dokora.
The national youth games have become an annual event where youths below the age of 17 compete in different sporting disciplines. Shortage of adequate financial resources this year forced some provinces to bring fewer athletes.
Paradoxically, the Minister of State in vice president Joyce Mujuru’s office, Sylvester Nguni, said sports should be part of the country’s education curriculum, adding that sporting activities were very important as they could contribute to the livelihoods of families if taken seriously.
Sports Arts and Culture minister Andrew Langa, who also graced the occasion, bemoaned the continued lake of corporate sponsorship in local sporting activities.
“We are unhappy that the corporate world has forgotten us in terms of sponsoring such events. In the past, the corporate world played a big role in supporting sports in the country,” said Langa.
Meanwhile, Masvingo is this week set to host the second edition of the Zimbabwe Open University national games, where the 10 regions of ZOU will compete in different sporting disciplines that include soccer, netball, volley ball, chess, tennis, tug-of-war and athletics.
Post published in: Sport