Fitness Festival lights up Checheche Cde Nokhuthula Matsikenyere

Liberty Dube

Manicaland Bureau

GOVERNMENT’s concerted efforts in fighting the abuse of drugs and other substances as well as combating the spread of addictions through devoting its resources to prevention, care and rehabilitation has been applauded.

In her welcome remarks at the National Fitness and Wellness Festival in Checheche, Chipinge District yesterday, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Nokhuthula Matsikenyere said the festival has amused the local community and it has reflected on the power of sport and leisure as a vehicle for advancing Vision 2030.

The fun-filled festival, which kick started on Tuesday, has seen youths from the country’s 10 provinces partaking in sport and arts activities.

The festival is running under the theme “Curbing Drugs and Substance Abuse Through Fitness and Wellness #MentalHealthMatters.”

The youths are engaging in sporting disciplines like football, netball, volleyball,  athletics and arts activities such as visual arts (drawings and paintings), performing arts (comedy, poetry and musical performances).

“The current development integrates into the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) which also desires to embrace the life of all Zimbabweans as we approach a middle class economy.

“It is our hope and confidence that this festival will continue to inspire our kids and generate more podium performers who will boost the Gross Domestic Product of our country.

“I am happy that Government, together with local, national and international institutions, and various educational agencies, is concretely engaged in every part of the country in combating the spread of addictions, devoting its resources to prevention, care, rehabilitation and reinsertion, in order to restore dignity to those who have lost it.

“Fighting drugs and substance abuse calls for a combined effort on the part of various local groups and agencies in enacting social programmes promoting health care, family support and especially education,” said Minister Matsikenyere.

Deputy Director, Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Mr Ranson Madzamba said:

“The festival is also encompassing the participation of people with disability as our national mantra states that we should leave no one and no place behind.

“The theme emphasizes on the importance of bold transformative ideas and accessible education in combating discrimination as well as fighting the use of drugs and substance abuse by young people in different communities.”

The three-day event which has lit up Checheche Growth Point will be curtained off by Sulumani Chimbetu today.

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