Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
GREAT Zimbabwe University will host the 2026 Chancellor of Zimbabwe State Universities Staff Games from July 19 to 25, with organisers expecting the biggest edition of the tournament since its launch in 2014.
The annual games have been expanded to include polytechnics and private universities, broadening participation across Zimbabwe’s higher and tertiary education sector.
National Deputy Chairperson of the Chancellor of Zimbabwe State Universities Staff Games, Mr Mapfumo Tafirenyika, said the expansion was aimed at making the competition more inclusive while promoting Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage.
“We are not leaving anybody behind. This is about bringing everyone together, and the move is aimed at preserving and promoting indigenous cultural heritage,” he said.
Held under the theme, “Driving Innovation, Industrialisation and Collaboration Through Sport Towards Vision 2030,” the games will bring together staff from state universities for a week of sporting competition, networking and cultural exchange.
Following a successful pilot programme in 2025, polytechnic institutions will participate fully in the 2026 edition.
Private institutions, including Ezekiel Guti University and the Women’s University in Africa, will also take part alongside the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education and teams from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education.
The annual tournament continues to promote unity, collaboration and innovation across Zimbabwe’s higher and tertiary education sector.
