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VP Mujuru

Fatima Bulla in MASVINGO
Vice President Joice Mujuru has urged the Sport, Arts and Culture Ministry to craft a national sport policy aimed at creating sustainable ways of funding as well as increase the use of information and communication technology.
The Vice President’s remarks were delivered at Mucheke during the official opening of the 12th edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games.
The Minister of State in VP Mujuru’s office, Sylvester Nguni, read the speech on her behalf in which she highlighted the need for sport to play a critical role in youth empowerment and employment creation.

“The Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture is currently consulting with stakeholders in its bid to come up with a sports policy. It is my hope and sincere conviction that the consultation will be as wide as possible, allowing the policy to reflect the wishes and aspirations of the majority of Zimbabweans, concerning sport.

“The policy should focus on such issues as increasing accessibility of sport, availability of infrastructure, sustainable ways of funding sport, the use of ICT among other concerns. As identified in our economic blueprint Zim-Asset, sport is expected to make a significant contribution to our social and economic development,” VP Mujuru said.

This year’s Games, VP Mujuru said, were unique as they served as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming Africa Union Region V Youth Games set for Bulawayo in December.

“Today’s Games do indeed show a prevalence of an appreciation of the need for preparedness. We have a golden opportunity to prepare Team Zimbabwe. We therefore need to seize this opportunity and ensure that the maximum level of support rendered by all stakeholders for the team to enhance its chances of success at the regional games,” added VP Mujuru.

The Vice President affirmed Government’s commitment to participation, growth and development of sport among youths and the generality of the population.

“Government realises that sports and particularly the Youth Games have manifold benefits which include creation of bonds as young people from different backgrounds and areas interact through sport.

“Personal and people skills are developed through this interaction whilst forging team spirit and unity among the people,” said VP Mujuru.
The ZNYG have brought forth athletes like Ngonidzashe Makusha, Angela Makaha, Gabriel Mvumvure and Vitalis Chikoko a platform which VP Mujuru said should inspire young athletes to excel for the nation.

In addition, VP Mujuru said the responsibility of promoting and developing sport cannot lie on Government’s shoulders alone.
VP Mujuru urged private institutions, non-governmental agencies, youth groups and community organisations among other groups to work with the ministry to ensure the benefits that abound in sport are reaped and enjoyed by the nation.

“This calls for a pooling together of financial, human and material resources so that sport is allowed to fully have its intended effect.
“I am informed that most of the sporting facilities have been refurbished by various partners. This approach resonates well with the thrust of Zim-Asset, which among other issues seeks to promote public private partnerships.

“I want therefore to encourage our sports delivery institutions to continually engage the private and public sector partners for the growth and development of sport in Zimbabwe.

“I would like to challenge organisers of the Games to start thinking of including more sporting disciplines especially those that will be articulated in the sports policy.

“There is also need to consider setting standards that would ensure that our performance is benchmarked against the best not only at regional but at international level as well,” VP Mujuru urged.

In her concluding remarks, VP Mujuru said the sports sector should make a significant contribution to the gross domestic product.