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THE SPIRIT OF FAIR PLAY . . . Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Mandi Chimene (left) hands over a ball to Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane in Mutare at the weekend

Ray Bande Mutare Bureau
SPORTS and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane has described the recent National Youth Games in Hwange as the best the country has staged in the history of the annual multi-sport discipline event. He spoke on the sidelines of the Mutare City Council Sports Festival at the weekend. Hlongwane dismissed reports that there was chaos in Hwange as social media propaganda.

“There were no boobs as far as the 2017 National Youth Games are concerned. For me, the Games in Hwange were the best ever since the inception of the National Youth Games.

“Yes, just like any other event there were lessons learnt and we will use those lessons in preparing for the next edition of the Games.

‘‘In fact, Midlands have already started preparing for next year’s National Youth Games having drawn some crucial lessons from the Hwange Games,” said Hlongwane.

Preparations and logistical arrangement of this year’s National Youth Games came under severe criticism from different media outlets, with some branding them the ‘Games of Hunger’.

Hlongwane, who was the guest of honour during the Mutare City Council Sports Festival, praised the Joshua Maligwa-led Mutare Municipality for there improved attitude towards sporting activities.

This saw the local authority holding their first Mutare City Council Sports Festival during the weekend as well as the ongoing preparations for their maiden appearance in the InterCity Games to be held in Bindura.

Mutare City Sports Festival saw different departments within the local authority engaging in competition in various sports genres that include football for men and women, darts, tug of war, volleyball, pool and chess.

“Today marks the birth of the anticipated Mutare City Council Sport Festival meant to develop a culture of physical fitness among the workers and residents of the eastern border city.

“Therefore, it is pleasing to note that Mutare has taken the lead in aligning its public service mandate by implementing policy dictates set out by the Ministry of Sport and Recreation. Mutare is riding in the right course as it has initiated the formation of 43 teams.

“The formation of these clubs in this city goes a long way in adequately supplying the human capital for the National Urban Councils Festival which has been set in motion to widen competitive participation in sport and recreation.

“I have no doubt that the ardent and continued adherence to this initiative will promote healthy lifestyles and overstep sedentary habits,” said Hlongwane.

Apart from promoting good health within its workforce, the Mutare City Council Sports Festival is also meant to select teams that will take part in the Inter City Games where local authorities come together to compete in various sports disciplines.

This year the annual event is slated for Bindura and Mutare will be taking part for the first time since the inception of the competitions two years ago.

Speaking during the same event, Minister of State for Manicaland Affairs Mandi Chimene commended Hlongwane for his hands-on approach in handling business in his ministry.

Chimene expressed confidence Mutare City will do well in the Inter City Games in Bindura.

“I have known Minister Hlongwane for a long time now and we have worked together well in different forums.

‘‘I have no doubt about his work ethic as well as his hands on approach in handling business in his ministry. This explains his presence here.

‘‘Minister Hlongwane I want to assure you that my team – Mutare City Council – will give a good account of themselves when the Inter City Games get underway in Bindura. I have no doubt about that. What you have seen here is just a tip of the iceberg,” she said.

Mutare City Council Town Clerk Joshua Maligwa pledged to avail more resources towards the Games next year.

In the Games played during the festival at Sakubva, Chamber Secretary’s department were crowned men’s football winners after beating Fire Department 1-0 in the final while City Queens were the women’s football winners after edging Royal Queens 1-0.