Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
THE Government has commissioned the Wedza Country Club Multi-Purpose Sporting Facility, describing the new complex as a key investment in grassroots sport development, youth empowerment and the fight against drug and substance abuse.
The facility, officially opened on Thursday, is expected to widen access to sporting opportunities in Mashonaland East, with Government targeting greater representation of athletes from rural communities at national and international level.
Students who attended the commissioning said the facility would provide opportunities to develop their sporting abilities and compete across different disciplines.
“We thank the Government for constructing these sporting facilities for us. This will afford us an opportunity to nurture our talents,” one student said.
Another added: “We did not have such facilities in our locality before. This will help us participate in different sporting codes.”
A third student said the facility would improve competition among schools.
“At our school there are these facilities, but most schools do not have such facilities. The establishment of these facilities will create more competition and improve our game performance,” the student said.
Another aspiring athlete welcomed the development, saying: “We thank Government for establishing these sporting facilities. This will give us an opportunity to hone our skills as tennis players.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Nicholas Moyo said the facility was part of a long-term vision to develop elite athletes from grassroots level.
“We are looking forward to the day when, after two years, this facility will be the biggest such sporting facility within the country. We want people from here to represent the country at the Olympic level. This is only possible if we develop these sporting facilities,” he said.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Itayi Ndudzo said the complex would serve both sporting and social development objectives.
“A number of sporting games can be played here. There is room to construct more vital infrastructure. This will help to nurture talent and fight social ills that include drug and substance abuse and child sexual exploitation,” he said.
Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Lieutenant General (Retired) Anselem Sanyatwe said the project reflected Government’s drive to ensure sporting opportunities reached all parts of the country.
“The President mandates us to promote inclusive development. Most people representing the country are from big clubs. We also want representation from districts and remote parts of the country. We want rural areas to provide players representing the country. The development of sporting facilities is an important step to achieve inclusive sport development,” he said.
The commissioning of the Wedza Country Club Multi-Purpose Sporting Facility forms part of broader Government efforts to expand sports infrastructure, identify talent at grassroots level and create opportunities for young people through sport.
