MP hails Mzilikazi for positive response towards organised sport Tshinga Dube
Tshinga Dube

Tshinga Dube

Allen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
Makokoba MP Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube has heaped praises on Mzilikazi District for a positive response towards the government’s call to have organised sports following a successful launch of Community Sports and Recreational Development Programme (CSRDP) in Emakhandeni.

Saturday’s event saw 22 wards from Mzilikazi District competing in sports codes like boxing, soccer, netball, volleyball, athletics, darts, tug of war, tennis, chess, cricket, wushu, taekwondo and handball.

Sporting legends Tobias Mudyambanje, Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda, Phillip Striker Ndlovu and Cosmas Zulu graced the occasion and offered advice to more than 900 participants who were present.

Also present were senior government officials, Ministry of Sport and Recreation staff as well as various business personnel.

“I am so happy to note that Mzilikazi District has responded to the government’s need to have organised sport as seen by the establishment of the CSRDP. It shows that the committees are committed to the well being of its citizenry and the development of sport and recreation as has been expressed by the Ministry of Sport and Recreation,” Rtd Dube said.

The CSRDP is an effective platform for stimulating mass participation in sport and recreation by all people including youth, women, persons with disabilities and elderly in order to address issues of discipline, employment, patriotism, gender, healthy lifestyles, and tolerance of difference, community development and social cohesion thereby contributing towards the economy of the country.

Rtd Col Dube also said the community sports programme will open doors for previously disadvantaged rural communities.

“The Ministry of Sport and Recreation has identified this programme as a platform for decentralisation and democratisation of sport and recreation in Zimbabwe. Through this strategy, the ministry in collaboration with stakeholders is rolling out a community sports club programme that will affect all corners of Zimbabwe including the previously disadvantaged rural communities.

“I am very pleased to note that all the districts have embraced this initiative as witnessed by the different teams in different sporting codes. I would like to thank all the districts for collaborating well and sending their teams to this event,” said Rtd Col Dube.

CSRDP secretary Morris Mukwiti said the event was a huge success despite the rains that interrupted some of the activities.

“The turn-out was just beyond our expectations. Despite the rain, people came out in numbers to have a great time and support the programme. We hope to see this initiative breed future sporting stars. We will be having another programme in January as we seek to build a team which will take part in the Youth Education through Sports (YES) games,” he said.

@khumzallen

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