THE Sports ministry is leaving no stone unturned in its bid to improve the country's performance at the upcoming African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games scheduled for Windhoek, Namibia from July 4-13.
The ministry's permanent secretary, Nicholas Moyo, revealed that the government has invested heavily in the team, with a budget of US$1,4 million allocated for the games.
This amount, however, does not include the contributions from schools and national sports associations, which have been supporting the team since preparations began over six months ago.
“We are going there not just to win and bring medals, but we are going there to make our children have an experience, to make our young people have an experience in a regional platform,” Moyo said.
The team’s focus is on improving individual performance and creating a platform for young people to succeed.
Moyo revealed that the total investment in the team, including government funding, school contributions, and family support, could exceed US$2 million.
The ministry has also ensured that the team is well taken care of, with a medical team comprising three doctors, five physiotherapists, four nurses, and a rehabilitation technician.
“Sports is now a science, and the ministry is committed to ticking all the necessary boxes to ensure the team's success,” Moyo said.
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The team is also receiving specialised nutrition and medication, with the government investing nearly US$12 000 in extra nutrition and medication.
The ministry’s technical arm, the Sports and Recreation Commission, has been working with national sporting associations to measure athlete performance and determine team selection.
Moyo has set a target for the team to improve on their previous fourth-place finish, with a podium finish being the ultimate goal.
“We are going out there, battling with nine other countries, cognisant that Zimbabwe is placed number four in our youth games,” he said.
“Our target is to come back at least having improved. And that means being number three or being number two or being number one.”
The team comprises 103 female athletes and 94 male athletes, with Moyo emphasising that good sport is not about gender, but about allowing young people to express themselves in their chosen sport.
“Good sport is not about gender. It's about allowing young people to express themselves in the game that they are doing,” he said.
“So we have, as government of Zimbabwe, we ensure that there is enough resources. We ensure there is a team management that plans everything. We ensure that there is a safe admission.”
The team is expected to depart for Namibia tomorrow.
