FOR THREE days there was fan and pompfare at the inaugural Makoni Central Youth Games championed by "Jah Prayzah" of Parliament, the Zanu Manicaland youth chairperson Stanley Sakupwanya sponsored to the tune of US$40 000.
The tournament, which was played from February 20 to 22, catered for teams from Rusape Township and rural areas.
Sakupwanya (35) nicknamed after the top Zimbabwean musician Mukudzei Mukombe affectionately known as Jah Prayzah because of the striking similarities.
Standing above two metres Sakupwanya has naturally become a new centre of attraction in Parliament because of his heart and youth exuberance.
He secured a seat in Parliament courtesy of the youth quota system.
Sakupwanya has united the Makoni Central Constituency with people from all walks of lives coming together for the inaugural Makoni Youth games under the theme no to drug abuse and child marriages.
Zanu PF Manicaland youth league was at the forefront mobilizing for the tournament across all wards in Makoni Central Constituency.
A total of 22 wards participated in both the football and netball tournament.
Sakupwanya got support from Betterbrands and Premiership outside side Scotland Football Club.
He also got a first aid kit from Discovery Ambulances.
As if it was not enough a local businessman Tafara "TJ" Chidawanyika provided the venue for the grand finals at the spacious Rusape Country Club where refreshments were provided.
Premiership outfit Scotland Football Club’s Rusape circuit supporters also supported the tournament.
Tsanzaguru's soccer team and Ward 4's netball side claimed the championship crowns each rewarded with US$1 000.
Ward 7 in soccer and Tsanzaguru which came second in netball got US$7 00 each while Ward 8 netball and Domborembizi soccer, which came third received US$500 each respectively.
In a well-oiled tournament teams which even participated from Preliminary stages received US$1 00 each as a participation fee.
In the end, 22 soccer and netball teams received branded jerseys while each player who participated in the tournament received a food hamper among other sponsorship packages.
In an interview with the Standard Sport Sakupwanya applauded all stakeholders who partnered him to make the tournament a success.
"The tournament was about no to drug and substance abuse and no to child marriages in playing netball it was a way of supporting the girl child," he said.
"It was a tournament for talent identification and so that we promote sport as an alternative from drugs.
"Sport is not only about competition it is about unity, recognition and building a generation that feels supported, by rewarding excellence while honouring participation, the initiative showed true success lies in lifting everyone not just winners,".
"This was a powerful lesson in community when youth are empowered , the whole nation rises," he added.