This program creates inclusion opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport and recreation activities. The SRC, with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Zimbabwe National Paralympic Committee and other delivery agents, annually organizes the Zimbabwe National Paralympic Games for participants in five disability categories. Outstanding performers at the Games are selected for further exposure to higher level Games including the International Paralympic Games and other sport specific championships.
Programs
Sport and recreation are an effective means to promote women’s emancipation. Participation in sport and recreation offers opportunities for women to learn life skills, improve their health and to contribute towards national development. The SRC’s strategy is to increase women’s participation in sport as both participants and administrators. Structures in the form of Women’s Advocacy Committees are created in all districts, provinces and at national level. Female sport leaders are supported to undergo training through the women sport leadership academy sessions to build their capacity to assume leadership roles within community sport clubs, schools, colleges and sport associations. Women and sport tournaments and galas are organized at provincial and national levels in partnership with the AUSC Region 5, the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation and national associations to offer opportunities for participation in sport and recreation.
The Zimbabwe National Youth Games are an intervention to facilitate the selection and exposure of talented young participants from the country’s provinces. From the Games, excelling athletes are chosen for further development through the podium performance programme and exposure to elite competitive platforms. The build up process starts with local leagues and tournaments, followed by district championships to assemble strong provincial teams towards participation in the Games. The bulk of participants are drawn from schools, clubs, colleges and other platforms. The Games are hosted by provinces on a rotational basis and the SRC, with the support of the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, national associations and other delivery agents, oversees and coordinates the process.
The Annual National Sports Awards (ANSA) started as the Sportsperson of the Year Award and was organized by the Sports Writers Association of Zimbabwe before being discontinued for a period of time. In 1998, the Sports and Recreation Commission resuscitated the awards as the expanded ANSA then organized to honour and reward excellence and achievement by Zimbabwean sportspersons at various levels. There are 16 award categories in the ANSA that provide for the recognition of outstanding achievements of athletes, administrators and technical officials. Not so long ago, a new Special Acknowledgement Category was introduced to recognize individual and corporate entities that render notable service and support towards sport and recreation. Nominations for the ANSA are submitted by national associations, delivery agents and SRC tracking system before being subjected for adjudication by a judges’ panel.