The Ball Was Set In Your Court

By Steve Ephraim

GOVERNMENT ministers descending onto the district for the three days of fun in sporting activities with teams from most government ministries participating. This is non other than Chipinge district from Tuesday, May 02 to Thursday, May 04 2023.

Chipinge hosted a National Fitness and Wellness Festival that was organised by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation with people gathering at Checheche High School in Chipinge South. The event ran under the theme: “Drug and substance abuse a threat to Vision 2030 – Every community is responsible.”

The aim of the festival was meant to help the nation fight the scourge of illegal manufacturing, distribution or consumption of drugs and substances a thing which has become cancer in society.

On Wednesday, May 03, a National Fitness and Wellness Conference was held at Checheche AFM Church Hall under the theme “Curbing drugs and substance abuse through fitness and wellness.”

Guest of Honour of the conference was Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Nokuthula Matsikenyeri, who urged communities to openly discuss the need for shunning drug and substance abuse.

Thursday was the final day which was officially opened by the Vice President of Zimbabwe, Hon Constantino Chiwenga. He commissioned a low-cost tennis court at Checheche High School and performed some aerobics before addressing people.

During his speech, the vice president read a riot act that time is over for those involved in the illegal manufacture, distribution or consumption of drugs and substances. He went further to urge families to play a pivotal role in fighting against drug and substance abuse.

The world turned eyes on Checheche during the National Fitness and Wellness Festival. In addition to the honour it brought to Chipinge, the festival also gave a challenge to develop sport in the district.

Since community teams participated during the festival, the platform was an eye opener on how sport should be run in the communities giving a special check on the none usage of drugs in sports and the society at large.