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HAIL THE CHAMP…Acting President, Emerson Mnangagwa (right), salutes World Boxing Council international welterweight champion, Charles Manyuchi (centre), who is flanked by Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Andrew Langa, during the launch of the National Youth Games in Mutare yesterday. – (Picture by Tinai Nyadzayo)

Ray Bande in MUTARE
GOVERNMENT intends to help the funding of sport in this country. This was revealed by Acting President, Emerson Mnangagwa, when he officially opened the 13th edition of the National Youth Games at Sakubva yesterday. Mnangagwa told athletes they need to value the spirit of Fair Play and desist from taking performance-enhancing drugs.

“I would like to caution young sportsmen and women against taking steroids and other performance-enhancing substances which, not only feed into the cancerous scourge of cheating, but also violates the value of Fair Play,” Mnangagwa said.

“If you have to become a champion, let it be a result of honest, hard work and strict compliance with the rules and regulations of sport.”

The Acting President praised the Zimbabwe National Youth Games initiative and said the festival was contributing to the improvement of sporting excellence in the country.

“The Zimbabwe National Youth Games do not only feed into our overall National Sport Strategy but they are also in sync with Section 20 of the new constitution, which among other things seeks to provide opportunities for the youth to participate in social and economic activities which may be undertaken in this country.

“This implies that as Government we are using the Zimbabwe National Youth Games to translate the constitution into practice for the benefit of the nation.

“The National Youth Games are, indeed, contributing towards the improvement of sporting excellence in this beautiful country.

“Futhermore, it is not by coincidence that the Youth Games are being held in the month of August, just after commemorations of our Heroes Day, and after celebrating the heroic feat achieved by our own Charles Manyuchi.

“It is my fervent hope that more heroes are going to emerge during the 13th edition of the National Youth Games, who will, in future raise the Zimbabwean flag high.”

World Boxing Council international welterweight boxing champion, Charles Manyuchi, and several Government ministers, who included Andrew Langa (Sport, Arts and Culture), Mandi Chimene (Manicaland Provincial Affairs), Oppah Muchinguri (Water, Environment and Climate) and Chris Mushohwe (Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment), graced yesterday’s official launch of this year’s edition of the National Youth Games.

Athletes and officials from different provinces in the country have converged in Mutare for the annual sporting festival which will run up to Sunday.

Participants during the annual multi-sport discipline event compete in eight sporting disciplines that include football, athletics, handball, boxing, tennis, netball, volleyball and basketball.