TAWANDA MARWIZI
Zimbabwe has potential to produce the best sportsmanship if government puts in place systems to scout for talent at grassroots level, a senior government official has said.
Speaking at a sports tournament held in Hwedza during the just-ended holiday, the Minister of State for Mashonaland East Apollonia Munzverengwi said government through the ministry Youth and Sports should go deeper in scouting and nurturing talent from grassroots.
“I have seen very talented people here at this tournament and this is a reflection of how rich the country is in terms of sportsmanship but we now need the appropriate support from the government and stakeholders to uplift the talent we have,” she said.
Munzverengwi said she will engage the Minister of Sports, Kirsty Coventry so that they come up with sports development programmes in Mashonaland East.
At the tournament several sporting activities like soccer, netball, snooker and bicycle racing among others took place.
The event organised by Wedza South Member of Parliament Tinoda Machakaire and was also attended by the Deputy Minister of Information and broadcasting services Energy Mutodi and several government officials.
At least ZW $400 000 was splashed on the tournament with the money expected to assist people in different wards in the constituency.
Machakaire said by organizing such a sports tournament, he wanted to
put sporting talents on the spotlight.
“We have talented people but they do not have resources to take their sporting talent further; they need to be supported,” he said.
Former Caps United and Gunners player David Redhiyoni and Kiglon player Vimbayi Madamombe also graced the event.
Redhiyoni said it was important to start scouting for talent at grassroots level. “These players might not get a chance to go to various sports
academies, but if they get enough assistance from both government and
individuals they can go further. That is the same crisis we suffered
as players from this side,” he said.
Sports analyst and former Caps United player Alois Bunjira said
setting up structures in every corner of the country to scout talent
is the way to go in developing talent especially in football.
“I think setting up of structures in various parts of the country to
develop and scout talent is one thing that we are lacking as a
country. It is good that such tournaments are being held but we need
people to develop those who want to pursue sporting
careers,” he said.
