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By Priscilla Mafa
Midlands Province has mobilised US$250,000 to support Team Midlands' participation in the 2026 Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games, with provincial leaders, the business community, development partners and individuals joining forces to ensure the province's athletes are fully prepared for the national competition in Marondera.
The funds were officially handed over to the Midlands Provincial Sports Development Committee during a ceremony held in Kwekwe, where the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Midlands Province, Hon. Owen "Mudha" Ncube, described the contribution as a demonstration of the province's commitment to youth empowerment and sports development.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Hon. Ncube said the funding was mobilised through a collaborative effort involving himself, Hon. Mupereri, the patriotic business community, development partners and individuals committed to advancing youth development through sport.
"I am pleased to officially hand over US$250,000 mobilised by Honourable Mupereri and myself, the patriotic business community, development partners and individuals towards the 2026 Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games to be held in Marondera. This massive support demonstrates Midlands Province's resolve as a leading local resource mobilisation community," said Hon. Ncube.
He said the funds would cater for transport, sporting equipment, accommodation and other essential logistical requirements for Team Midlands, ensuring athletes compete under favourable conditions.
"The funds will go towards transport, equipment, accommodation and other essential requirements for Team Midlands in line with the National Development Strategy 2 Pillar on Job Creation, Youth Entrepreneurship and Development, Creative Industry, Sport and Culture, which promotes sport as an economic sector."
The Minister said investing in sport was consistent with the Government's broader vision of empowering young people while unlocking economic opportunities through the sports industry.
He commended President Emmerson Mnangagwa for creating policies and institutional frameworks that continue to strengthen Zimbabwe's sports sector.
"I commend His Excellency, the President of the Second Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, for creating robust institutional and regulatory frameworks to advance the sports, arts, recreation and culture industry. These include state-of-the-art sports infrastructure development and sponsorship packages, among other various interventions."
Hon. Ncube urged Team Midlands to represent the province with honour, discipline and determination, reminding athletes that the games are about more than winning medals.
"To Team Midlands, I encourage you to compete with discipline, integrity and determination. Be worthy ambassadors of our province by demonstrating good sportsmanship both on and off the field of play."
He challenged the athletes to use the competition as an opportunity to build character, strengthen friendships and promote national unity.
"Remember that your participation is not only about winning medals but also about building character, fostering friendships and promoting national unity."
The Minister also called on the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to ensure the funds are utilised solely for the intended purpose.
"I also urge the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the Sports and Recreation Commission to utilise the funds for the intended purpose. My office will follow up on this donation to ensure accountability and transparency."
Hon. Ncube expressed confidence that Team Midlands has the talent and determination to perform well during the national games.
"I have every confidence that Team Midlands will make the province proud at the Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games. We stand firmly behind you and wish you every success."
He concluded the ceremony by officially presenting the donation to the Midlands Provincial Sports Development Committee.
"With these remarks, it is my singular honour and privilege to officially hand over a donation of US$250,000 to the Midlands Provincial Sports Development Committee in support of Team Midlands."
The 2026 Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games, which will be held in Marondera, are expected to bring together athletes from all ten provinces to compete across various sporting disciplines. The games provide a platform for talent identification, youth development and the promotion of inclusion through the participation of both able-bodied and para-athletes.
The funds were officially handed over to the Midlands Provincial Sports Development Committee during a ceremony held in Kwekwe, where the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Midlands Province, Hon. Owen "Mudha" Ncube, described the contribution as a demonstration of the province's commitment to youth empowerment and sports development.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Hon. Ncube said the funding was mobilised through a collaborative effort involving himself, Hon. Mupereri, the patriotic business community, development partners and individuals committed to advancing youth development through sport.
"I am pleased to officially hand over US$250,000 mobilised by Honourable Mupereri and myself, the patriotic business community, development partners and individuals towards the 2026 Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games to be held in Marondera. This massive support demonstrates Midlands Province's resolve as a leading local resource mobilisation community," said Hon. Ncube.
He said the funds would cater for transport, sporting equipment, accommodation and other essential logistical requirements for Team Midlands, ensuring athletes compete under favourable conditions.
"The funds will go towards transport, equipment, accommodation and other essential requirements for Team Midlands in line with the National Development Strategy 2 Pillar on Job Creation, Youth Entrepreneurship and Development, Creative Industry, Sport and Culture, which promotes sport as an economic sector."
The Minister said investing in sport was consistent with the Government's broader vision of empowering young people while unlocking economic opportunities through the sports industry.
He commended President Emmerson Mnangagwa for creating policies and institutional frameworks that continue to strengthen Zimbabwe's sports sector.
"I commend His Excellency, the President of the Second Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, for creating robust institutional and regulatory frameworks to advance the sports, arts, recreation and culture industry. These include state-of-the-art sports infrastructure development and sponsorship packages, among other various interventions."
Hon. Ncube urged Team Midlands to represent the province with honour, discipline and determination, reminding athletes that the games are about more than winning medals.
"To Team Midlands, I encourage you to compete with discipline, integrity and determination. Be worthy ambassadors of our province by demonstrating good sportsmanship both on and off the field of play."
He challenged the athletes to use the competition as an opportunity to build character, strengthen friendships and promote national unity.
"Remember that your participation is not only about winning medals but also about building character, fostering friendships and promoting national unity."
The Minister also called on the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to ensure the funds are utilised solely for the intended purpose.
"I also urge the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the Sports and Recreation Commission to utilise the funds for the intended purpose. My office will follow up on this donation to ensure accountability and transparency."
Hon. Ncube expressed confidence that Team Midlands has the talent and determination to perform well during the national games.
"I have every confidence that Team Midlands will make the province proud at the Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games. We stand firmly behind you and wish you every success."
He concluded the ceremony by officially presenting the donation to the Midlands Provincial Sports Development Committee.
"With these remarks, it is my singular honour and privilege to officially hand over a donation of US$250,000 to the Midlands Provincial Sports Development Committee in support of Team Midlands."
The 2026 Zimbabwe National Youth and Paralympic Games, which will be held in Marondera, are expected to bring together athletes from all ten provinces to compete across various sporting disciplines. The games provide a platform for talent identification, youth development and the promotion of inclusion through the participation of both able-bodied and para-athletes.
Published
August 4, 2026 at 10:00 AM
