Story by Providence Maraneli
CHEGATO High School claimed bragging rights at this year’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ)schools championships, after amassing more than 20 gold medals in the athletics competition held at Manama last Friday.
The three-day Annual sports gala brought together students from Lutheran Schools across the country.
Chegato emerged winners after beating perennial rivals Zezane High School in the tightly contested under 20 boys 4×1 relays.
The track and field events presented an opportunity for the national Athletics coaching staff to scout for talent.
“These are the tournaments that gives exposure to talented athletes and as coaches, we feel we are in the right direction in terms of identifying talent,” National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe director of coaching, Phakamile Lismati said.
“We organised this event so that we continue to bring unity among our Lutheran churches and try to showcase different talents that our children have,” Evangelical Lutheran Church of Zimbabwe, Bishop Michael Dube said.
On behalf of Vice President Kembo Mohadi, the Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Albert Nguluvhe, a former student at Manama High School commended the commitment by ELCZ to the development of talent among learners.
“Competence-based approaches to education delivery promote talent identification among learners while leveraging on the traditional methods of inculcating knowledge and skills to our children. The results of an education system only become visible when livelihoods are transformed through the utilisation of those non-academic talents that were not considered important in the education curriculum in comparison with typical classroom pedagogics.”
“Sport is not only about athletes running, winning, and losing, instead it’s about a journey to learn to work together as a team, to support each other and to lift each other up. It is also a powerful tool for social development, fostering long-standing relationships, creating new friendships and improving our humanity. Thus indeed where the values of ubuntu come from,” Honourable Nguluvhe said.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Zimbabwe national sports gala was held under the theme, of self-reliance and critical thinking.
