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President Mugabe shares a lighter moment with Zambian boxer Ester Phiri after presenting her with a medal of honour for her outstanding contribution to female boxing in the region and beyond. Ester is the World International Boxing Association welterweight champion (Picture by Eliah Saushoma)

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter—
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday urged youths to abstain from taking drugs and other intoxicating substances. Officially opening the sixth edition of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games at a packed Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, the President, who is also the chairperson of Sadc, said youths should adhere to safe and clear sport ethics as enshrined in the Anti-Doping Code.

“I wish to implore all youths to always abstain from taking drugs and other intoxicating substances. I urge them to adhere to the safe and clear sport ethics as enshrined in the Anti-Doping Code. All participants are expected to exhibit the best virtues of Olympism that’s commensurate with our intrinsic values of ubuntu, and these include integrity, fairness, cooperation, dutifulness, patriotism, to mention but a few. May the winners be grateful in victory and the losers in defeat,” said President Mugabe.

In his 17-minute speech, the President, who arrived in Bulawayo aboard an Air Zimbabwe plane accompanied by the Senior Minister of State, Simon Khaya Moyo, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni, Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and Zanu-PF Central Committee member Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, said sport plays a vital part in human and social development.

“It builds friendship, tolerance, teamwork among people in Sadc and the wider world. These particular games for which we’ve gathered today are targeted at the youth, specifically those under the age of 20. The region has introduced this competition with the main aim of developing sport talent in young people. We’re told that when the youth are below 20, they’re at the best stage of bringing out and developing their psycho-social-physical sporting potential which they, as young people are endowed with. I therefore urge all participants-cum-competitors to use this regional competition to shine. Give it all your best,” said President Mugabe.

Speaking earlier on, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa said they were looking forward to a tournament characterised by fair play, discipline and the values of ubuntu that symbolise Africanness.

He praised President Mugabe for personally making sure the Games came to Bulawayo despite huge resistance from some members of the Cabinet during the inclusive government era.

“You personally had a keen interest in seeing the success of Zimbabwe’s hosting of these Games. We thank and appreciate the times you unlocked difficult moments in the preparation period. You’ve encouraged my ministry and I, to continue with the hard work while always ensuring that we receive the support of all the relevant arms of government,” said Minister Langa.