Masvingo province recently won the 14th edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games which were held in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West.
Manicaland provinces who were the defending champions for the Games did not find the going easy as they settled for position 4 after the winners Masvingo, Harare and Mashonaland West provinces respectively.
An ecstatic Team Masvingo could not hide its joy as they broke into song and dance when it became clear that they were this year’s champions at the Games which they have won in 2004 and in 2014. Sports and Recreation Commission Provincial Sport Coordinator, Edgar Katapa attributed their success to hard work and cooperation from the stakeholders.
“Our success is attributed to the support that we got from the various stakeholders in the Province such as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the office of the Games Patron the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Masvingo Province Hon. Shuvai Mahofa.
“Had it not been for their support the journey to Chinhoyi would have been a difficult one given the economic challenges that we are facing as a nation. Special tribute should also go to our unsung heroes the Coaches and Team Managers for being diligent and equal to the task”, said Katapa.
Speaking during the official closing ceremony of the Games, the Guest of Honour, Hon. Makhosini Hlongwane, Minister of Sport and Recreation paid tribute to Mashonaland West for managing to host to the Games under conditions which were characterized by limited resources. The Minister, went to announce that they were working on a plan to increase the number of sport codes to the Games.
“We are currently working on a plan to increase the number of sport codes so that if need be, the Games would be the mini Olympic Games for Zimbabwe. This is also meant to increase accessibility to sport and recreation to the general public as the process of participating at the Games will start at ward level culminating with the National Youth Games” added Hon. Hlongwane.
Matabeleland North province is the next host of the Games and was represented by their Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Hon. Cain Mathema who indicated that his province was ready to host the Games in 2017 in Hwange.
The Games results were as follows:
OVERALL MEDAL STANDINGS
| PROVINCE | OVERAL POSITION | GOLD | SILVER | BRONZE | TOTAL |
| MASVINGO | 1 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 25 |
| HARARE | 2 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
| MASH WEST | 3 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 34 |
| MANICALAND | 4 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 21 |
| MASH EAST | 5 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 13 |
| BULAWAYO | 6 | 4 | 12 | 14 | 30 |
| MAT NORTH | 7 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 12 |
| MASH CENTRAL | 8 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 9 |
| MAT SOUTH | 9 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 10 |
| MIDLANDS | 10 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| Total | 58 | 58 | 68 | 184 |
