Athletes need top notch facility exposure: Minister Raymond Kazembe
Kazembe Kazembe

Kazembe Kazembe

Ellina Mhlanga, Harare Bureau
SPORT, Arts and Recreation Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, believes that exposing local athletes to proper facilities will enhance their competitiveness and indicated that this had influenced the importance they are attaching to infrastructure development throughout the country.

Kazembe said this at the Annual National Sports Awards ceremony at the HICC on Wednesday to honour outstanding Zimbabwean athletes.

The minister said major thrust is being put on the construction of facilities and improvement on the existing ones for the enhancement of podium performances.

“In the next decade, Government will ensure that each of the country’s 10 provinces and the administrative districts have a multi-purpose facility. Such facilities will improve the livelihood of communities on those areas as well as create employment.

“The move to commit Government support for infrastructure development will also enhance the competitiveness of Zimbabwean athletes on the global stage and provide the country with an opportunity to bid to host high profile international competitions.

“It is critical that local athletes be exposed to top notch facilities before they embark on international competitions. On that note, there will be a deliberate approach to modernise existing facilities such as the National Sports Stadium and install bucket seats at the giant facility,” said Kazembe.

Lack of maintenance of the existing facilities and keeping up with international standards has also been a challenge.

Kazembe saluted the athletes for their efforts and assured them of support from the government.

With several international competitions coming up in the next few years, Kazembe called on national sport associations to step up their efforts in preparing for the events.

For young up-and-coming athletes they have the African Youth Games and Youth Olympic Games to look forward to next year.

The African Youth Games are scheduled for Algeria in July and Argentina will host the Youth Olympics in October.

The Cheetahs will represent the country at the Rugby Sevens World Cup in July in the United States.

There also the African Games in 2019 and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

“I am also aware that in 2018, 2019 and 2020 there will be Youth Olympic Games, the African Games and the Summer Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games respectively.

“In order for us to excel at these Games, we need to be adequately prepared and this calls for all the national sport associations to step up their efforts now.

The idea of starting to run around a few days before the competition does not augur very well with the image of our country and does not show seriousness or our zeal to win,” said Kazembe.

The ANSA are sponsored by the Government and various corporates. These include traditional sponsors Delta who have continued to support the event over the years.

Other sponsors who came on board include Kwese, JRG Construction, KW Blasting, P and J Security, Bitumen World, Mark Manolios Sport, ZX Fuels, Yadah TV and Beta Balls Sport.

Sports Commission board chairperson, Edward Siwela paid tribute to the sponsors for making the event possible.

It was a full house with various stakeholders including the athletes themselves, national sport associations and bodies as well as representatives from various corporates attending the ceremony.

Some of the guests included permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Recreation Prince Mupazviriho, principal director — sport promotion and development Benson Dube and principal director — arts and culture Paul Damasane.

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