Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Sport and Recreation Ministry in partnership with local partners will this Saturday hold a multi-sports gala at Mqegula Business Centre in Mangwe district.
The sports gala, set to feature competitions in football, netball, cycling, pool, darts and walkathon, will be held under the theme “Sport as the key driver to healthy lifestyles, economic transformation and empowerment of all Zimbabweans”, according to the district sport and recreation officer Bongani Ndebele.
A walkathon or sponsored walk is a type of community or school fundraiser in which participants raise money by collecting donations or pledges for walking a predetermined distance or course.
“Apart from economic considerations, sport is a source of joy and entertainment to many. It can also be used to harness peace and foster unity in the country.
“Engaging in sport and recreation promotes healthy lifestyles and is the most cost effective and sustainable way to tackle the rise in non-communicable diseases,” said Ndebele.
He said sport also provides a platform to deal with a number of physical and health related interventions, including HIV and Aids, drug abuse, women and child abuse and to implement other life skills development programmes.
“It is against this background that the Ministry in partnership with other stakeholders hosts the multi-sport gala,” said Ndebele.
Mqegula Business Centre is about 30KM from Plumtree town.