Zimbabwe will be participating in the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana from 6 – 16 December 2018. A strong team of 86 athletes and officials was officially sent off by the Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Hon. Yeukai Simbanegavi in Harare at a colourful ceremony.
The Games which were incepted in 2004 in Maputo, Mozambique are held once every 2 years on a rotational basis among the 10 SADC countries. Zimbabwe which is set to participate in the Games will field teams in athletics, athletics for the visually impaired, girls football, netball, swimming and tennis.
While addressing the Team, the Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Hon. Yeukai Simbanegavi urged the athletes and officials to go and enjoy the Games and above all to be good Ambassadors of Zimbabwe.
“As you go out to the Games, I would like to encourage you go out there and enjoy the Games. When you win, you should do so with pride and it must be fair. You should always strive to give out your best but if that fails you should take comfort in that you would have done the best that you can under the circumstances.
“Issues such as cheating and taking performance enhancing substances should never be tolerated you must always strive to give out your natural best. As you also compete, remember you will be carrying the National flag therefore you are our Ambassadors hence we expect unquestionable discipline from every athlete and official in Team Zimbabwe”, said Hon. Simbanegavi.
During the last Games which were held in Angola and Zimbabwe came a credible 2nd position out of 10 countries with 96 medals. Will Zimbabwe maintain or surpass the same position, only time will tell.
