The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
FORMER Dynamos and Warriors striker Edward “Duduza” Sadomba has hailed Government’s move to set aside US$9 million for the rehabilitation of sports facilities.
“It’s better than a hat trick in football, a six in cricket or a hole in one in golf.
“What this move will do is give youngsters something to do. Yes most of them are trying their hands at being Zimdancehall artistes but the gifted sporting kid presently has nowhere to horn his or her skills,” said the Mbare born and bred Sadomba.
In announcing his 2018 National Budget in Harare on Thursday, Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube reiterated that Government is committed to the rehabilitation of sport and recreation facilities.
“There is a deliberate intention to resuscitate and or develop multipurpose sports and recreation facilities throughout the country to attain world standards,” said Ncube.
“This comes at a time when the nation is set to host Cosafa and the All Africa Games in 2019. The resuscitation will target major sports facilities which include Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex and Khumalo Hockey Stadium as a priority. The resuscitation will cascade to other towns. The budget allocates US$9, 1 million.”
While expressing concern about how past projects aimed at rehabilitating sports facilities were chocked by corrupt officials, Sadomba added that the latest move show how “President ED and his Government are in touch with the needs of the country.”
“The budget has something for everyone, including us in the sports sector. You can see that they (Government) are on to something and I believe they really deserve our support,” said the former DeMbare man.
“My appeal is that every cent of the allocated money finds its way to the intended projects. Cases of shoddy jobs like was the case with the so called rehabilitation of Rufaro Stadium and the Region V games venues in Bulawayo must never be repeated or tolerated.
“Winning in sport starts with being able to identify talent at an early age but you cannot identify talent when you don’t have the facilities for the youngsters to show what they have.
“Dozens if not thousands of swimmers were born in Chitungwiza between the time the Aquatic complex was built for the All Africa Games and this day but they were lost along the way because the facility turned into a white elephant.”
The 35-year-old Sadomba, who was the 2011 Caf Champions League top goal scorer, said President Mnangagwa made a “prophetic decision” by creating a Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
“As someone whose life was changed by sport, I know how budding sports stars need counselling in addition to good coaching. Having a ministry that caters for both the youths and sport was prophetic because that is exactly what we need at the moment.
“While teaching the youngsters about sport was enough back in the day, these days that will not suffice. There is rampant drug abuse even at the professional level and we need a combination of youth and sport officers to help nurture upcoming talent,” he said.
