The inaugural Hon Emily Jesaya Sports Tournament officially kicked off today at Oliver Juru Primary School, signaling the start of a massive three-day sporting showcase aimed at grassroots development and community engagement.
Running from April 30 to May 2, the event has transformed the district into a competitive hub, drawing 45 teams across football and netball codes and attracting a diverse range of corporate and government stakeholders.
A brainchild of the Deputy Minister of Sports, Recreation Arts and Culture the tournament features a heavy football presence with 27 teams currently in contention.
"The initiative from the Honourable Deputy Minister of Sport is a very, very great opportunity for our youth. In particular, as you can see, we have a multitude of youth who are here gathered. We have about 27 male soccer teams and 18 female soccer teams and 18 netball teams gathered here," Deputy Director of Sports in Mashonaland East Tarisai Bondamakara said.
"This programme is a direct intervention towards drug and substance abuse. We also have other supporting programmes besides these sports. We have Nhanga Gota, which is going to start in the evening, whereby our local chief and local headman will talk to the youth about how to grow to be responsible men and responsible women.
"We also have edu-trainment. We have our stakeholders, like National AIDS Council, ZRP, who are going to talk about drug and substance abuse. So this event is going a lot in empowering as well the child.The tournament here is one great intervention towards vision 2010," he added.
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The tournament brings teams from Goromonzi's four constituencies Ruwa, Goromonzi West, Goromonzi South and Goromonzi North under the theme Together In The Game, United in Development, Fighting Drug and Substance Abuse, Towards Vision 2030.
In a significant nod to the growth of the girl child in sport, eight of these are female teams.
To manage the high level of competition and maintain professional standards, organisers have deployed 17 referees and three match commissioners to oversee the football fixtures, while 18 netball teams are being officiated by a team of 13 umpires.
Action is being decentralised across three primary locations to manage the heavy schedule.
Oliver Juru Primary serves as the nerve center and the primary venue for female football, while male football matches are being played at Gosha Primary and the ZRP Juru Grounds.
Beyond the competitive action on the field, the tournament has integrated a comprehensive health and social welfare program.
Discovery Ambulances has established a temporary clinic on-site, staffed by three doctors and four nurses to provide immediate medical coverage.
In an effort to leave a lasting impact on the community, the medical service provider is also conducting a certified First Aid course for participants.
The event has also attracted a blue-chip roster of exhibitors, including Scotland FC, Innbucks, Doves, National Foods, Herentals FC, and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe.
These exhibitions run alongside vital edutainment sessions led by six facilitators from various sectors, including the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), District Aids Coordinator (DAC), ZICHIRE, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Youth, and the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC).