Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Roy Matiki
20 August 2008
Gweru — GOVERNMENT remains firmly committed to the development of sport in the country, Vice President Joice Mujuru said in Gweru on Monday.
In a speech read on her behalf by Midlands Governor Cephas Msipa during the official opening of the sixth edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games at Ascot, Mujuru said sport would always be assured of Government's full support.
"I want to assure you that we will continue working together and tirelessly for the success of these Games.
"After a Sports Council was formulated in the mid 1980s to serve as the directory of sport in this country, a department of sports in the Office of the President was initially created for this and also a Commission of Inquiry into the State of Sport was established.
"This commission of inquiry gave birth to the Sport and Recreation Commission, which recommended the hosting of the annual games called the Zimbabwe National Youth Games.
"The process of organising these Youth Games met several stumbling blocks, including lack of capacity at all levels, inadequate financial resources and lack of infrastructure development.
"I observe that this is the sixth edition of the Youth Games, which means that each province must develop better skills to manage the Games.
"There should an improvement in way provinces manage transportation of athletes, accommodation, feeding and overall organisation of the Games.
"The exploits of Kirsty Coventry, Peter Ndlovu, Cara Black and Kevin Ullyett, among others, bear testimony to the power of sport to unite the nation."
Sport has also shown that it is a strong unifying factor and the nation has been rallying behind the exploits of swimmer Coventry at the 2008 Olympic Games in China.
Mujuru noted that the Youth Games also served as a "platform for various sporting associations to broaden their talent base which in turn contribute to the prospects of enhancing future successes".
The quest for medals got underway yesterday.
Msipa apologised for the problems that have beset this edition of the Youth Games.
"It is our wish in the Midlands that we should do the best and I would like to apologise for the inconvenience some of you have endured. I would like to assure you that things will be better. Government is solidly behind the spirit of the National Youth Games and that it will continue to support the Games materially and financially.
"This year alone, the Ministry of Home Affairs granted the Ministry of Education three casino licences to support sport," said Msipa.
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