…as Junior Sables defend Barthes Trophy
Staff Reporter
Sport and arts are critical youth empowerment tools that help in national development, President Mnangagwa has said.
He challenged youths to leave drug and illicit substance abuse, and instead, pursue their sporting talents for personal and national benefit.
The President said this at a reception and celebration of the milestones made by the Under 20 National Rugby Team at State House recently.
The team’s success in the 2022 Rugby Afrique Under 20 Barthes Trophy, saw the team being crowned African Champions.
And on April 30, the team was crowned Africa Champions again after defending the Barthes Trophy following a ruthless thrashing of hosts Kenya 28-7 at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
The Junior Sables are the number one ranked Under 20 team in Zimbabwe.
On the way to the finals, the Junior Sables walloped Tunisia 60-6 in the semi-final.
Cote d’Ivoire were also hammered 55-0 in the quarter finals, and booked a finals berth for the 2023 Barthes Afrique Trophy, which they went on to win.
The Barthes Afrique Trophy also served as a qualifier tournament for the Under 20 World Cup, again to be hosted by Kenya.
Other teams to participate in the World Cup are Scotland, Hong Kong, Samoa, Uruguay, Canada, Spain and the USA.
The Junior Sables would be fancying their chances in the World Cup despite going to confront some of the game’s strongest sides.
Said President Mnangagwa before the team left for Kenya: “The achievement by the National U20 Rugby Team plays a pivotal role as the Second Republic continues to ensure that Zimbabwe excels as a sporting nation.
“This is in line with sectoral targets set for sports as spelt out in the National Development Strategy 1.”
The National Development Strategy 1 is a five-year economic blueprint that runs from 2021 to 2025, and spells the development trajectory that the country is taking for the attainment of Vision 2030 of an upper-middle income society.
President Mnangagwa added: “The importance of sports, arts and recreation in our country’s socio-economic development matrix cannot be over-emphasised.
“Hence, the Second Republic continues to appreciate the role of sport and recreation as a fundamental tool for youth empowerment and inclusive development, as we strive to leave no-one and no place behind.
“The world of sport offers many choices that can appeal to the youths from different cultures and backgrounds. Over and above helping in the health and well-being of a people, sport serves as a platform for entrenching unity, peace and social cohesion, as well as values of hard honest work.
“Furthermore, sporting disciplines such as rugby can help our young people develop strengths and protective factors which enable them to build capacities to respond to and manage social ills.”
With the nation in particular, and world in general, battling a drug menace, President Mnangagwa urged youths to remain focused and refrain from using drugs and illicit substances.
He further encouraged youths in sport to embrace Zimbabwe’s national development philosophy of “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo”.
“This is the time for you to shine and play your part in developing our beloved motherland Zimbabwe, through your talents.
“. . . I challenge you to be alive to and appreciate the role which the sport sector is playing in nation building and image branding.
“To this end, you are brand ambassadors of our great motherland, Zimbabwe,” said President Mnangagwa.
