The 14th edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games, (ZNYG) was officially opened on Sunday in Chinhoyi.
By Abel Chipanera/Shorai Murwira
The event which was held at Chinhoyi stadium was graced by the Minister of Youth Hon Patrick Zhuwao, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Dr Lazarus Dokora, among other senior government officials .
Officially opening the games Minister of State in Vice President Phelekhezela Mphoko’s office, Thabetha Kanengoni Malinga, said that the games does only aim to train young people but are a noble idea of bringing young people together and teaching them key values of the society.
“The games bring together young people to compete as well as enabling the teaching of key values of our society such as respect, friendship, Ubuntu among others,” she said.
Malinga further said that the ZNYG foster patriotism among the young people. She went on to applaud the ministry of sports and recreation for promoting the games.
“I would like to thank the ministry of sports and recreation for playing its role in this regard as it is complementing the work of the ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in this endeavour.
“Believing in ourselves is the only way we can achieve, therefore let us believe in what we are doing for the nation to go forward,” she said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Sports and Recreation minister Makhosini Hlongwane said ZNYG were part of government’s strategy to identify talent among young people.
“The ZNYG started in 2003, imposed by government through the ministry of sports and recreation committee as a national strategy to facilitate the selection of young people to higher levels of training and competition.
“The young participants in this 14th edition are drawn from decent communities’ around schools across the country,” said minister Hlongwane.
Minister Hlongwane went on to say that the national youth games have facilitated the nurturing of sport icons such as Charles Manyuchi who was once crowned as the youth national champion in Chinhoyi in 2006.
The last edition of the Youth Games was hosted by Masvingo Province with Harare dominating the games after scooping 40 medals.
Masvingo came second on the medals table with 35 medals while Manicaland came sixth after racking up eight medals.
