ZIMBABWE is set to host the Region V Games in December and the on-going Youth Games in Masvingo provide the opportunity to select members of the national team.
As hosts, Team Zimbabwe are expected to put up a good show and field a strong team in every discipline.
Work is underway at the venues in Bulawayo with renovations taking place.
The country’s 10 provinces are gathered in Masvingo battling it out in all sporting disciplines.
Harare’s dominance will be under test from the hosts who on the first two days were leading on the medals’ race.
The 12th edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games got underway on Monday in Masvingo and ends tomorrow.
More than 3 000 athletes and officials are in Masvingo for the annual games.
However, there is little that is being done by sports administrators to ensure that talent identified at such platforms is nurtured.
In the past 12 years, hundreds of athletes have made it to the annual games, but very few can be traced. Very few are still playing sport as there are no structures in place to ensure continuity.
Mines used to be the stage where promising athletes were absorbed, but because of the hard times, a number of mines can no longer afford that social responsibility.
Several mines had athletics clubs that nurtured many athletes.
Zimbabwe recently managed to send a small number of athletes to the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China.
Athletics, aquatics, equestrian sports, rowing and triathlon are the sporting disciplines Zimbabwe is represented.
Chad Idelhson and Robyn Lee participate in aquatics while athletes Enlitha Ncube, Titus Nyathi and Maryjoy Mudyiravanji are part of the team. Sophie Teede represents Team Zimbabwe in equestrian, while the pair of Daniella du Toit and Kyle Hinde participate in rowing.
Serena Rendell and Drew Williams represent Zimbabwe in triathlon.
Continuity should be emphasised at the Youth Games as they should not be held for fun, but for development of talent. Kirsty Coventry’s Olympic success remains the epitome of Zimbabwean sport.
From Masvingo to the Region V games, there should be continuity.
Team Zimbabwe should start building for the next All-Africa Games and the Olympics from such platforms.