Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
HARARE – ZIMBABWE’s efforts to strengthen sports development from the grassroots received a major boost this Monday after all 17 teachers’ colleges in the country received physical education and sports equipment, in a ceremony held at Belvedere Technical Teachers’ College in Harare.
The handover is part of a tripartite partnership involving the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, the Sports Leaders Institute of Zimbabwe (SLIZ), and Finland’s Liike University of Applied Sciences.
The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed two years ago, seeks to enhance the quality of physical education training across Zimbabwe.
Under the agreement, the Sports Leaders Institute of Zimbabwe sourced a wide array of sporting equipment, including footballs, sportswear, training shoes, and tools for match officials.
The equipment has now been distributed across all teachers’ colleges nationwide, as these institutions play a critical role in laying the foundation for sports development.
Principal of Belvedere Technical Teachers’ College, Dr Juliana Mbofana, welcomed the initiative, emphasising the strategic importance of equipping teachers with the necessary tools.
“We are very happy. As teachers’ colleges, we are the foundation for sports development in Zimbabwe. With the right equipment, our student teachers will gain hands-on experience, which they will pass on to learners across the country,” she said.
Representing Mkoba Teachers’ College, Head of Technical Education Department Mr Collen Daramachi echoed similar sentiments, calling the investment “a step in the right direction” towards nurturing the country’s next generation of sports stars.
“We are very happy this will help a lot in training teachers who are the unsung heroes when I t comes to developing stars,” he said.
President of the Sports Leaders Institute of Zimbabwe, Mr Russel Mhiribidi, described the partnership as a long-term investment in the nation’s sporting future.
“This four-year partnership will enable our soon to be teachers to learn with the best equipment and the success of this initiative means that we the best physical education and sports teachers in the country,” he noted.
The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development has also developed a policy to ensure that all tertiary institutions are adequately equipped with quality sports facilities.
Director in the Ministry, Mr Darlington Damba, highlighted that the initiative aligns with the government’s Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model, which emphasises practical learning, innovation, and community engagement.
“Sport has the power to unite communities. With better resources, institutions can host more tournaments, training sessions, and events that foster social cohesion. Today, we celebrate not just the provision of equipment, but a long-term investment in Zimbabwe’s sporting future,” he said.
This latest development affirms the Second Republic’s commitment to holistic education by prioritising physical education and sport as essential pillars of national development.
