Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
The Rafamoyo community in Gutu, Masvingo is grateful to government for transforming their sport landscape after building a multi-purpose court at Rafamoyo School.
Government’s commitment to provide equal opportunities for athletes in rural areas is bearing fruit after constructing a multi-purpose sporting court at Rafamoyo School in Gutu, Masvingo.
Court-based sports like tennis, basketball, volleyball, handball and others used to be seen as elite sports due to the lack of facilities, but that has changed with government constructing multi-purpose courts in rural schools.
“We are very grateful to the government for remembering us and giving us a chance to showcase our talents,” said a Rafamoyo student.
“This means so much for us now we can challenge those schools that had resources,” said another student.
The Rafamoyo community only have praise for the government.
“This is massive, now our children can also compete in tennis and basketball,” said a parent.
Another said, “This will help fight drug and substance abuse as people now have something to do and we want to thank the government for that.”
Before the new development, Gutu District, which has 242 government schools, did not have a proper sports court.
Rafamoyo Secondary School’s headmaster, Mr Kenford Musakanda said, “This is just not for the kids here but for the whole district as this is a centre and we will be hosting primary schools and even youths as well who want to use this facility.”
The Second Republic is on a drive to construct and modernise sporting facilities in communities.
To date, Checheche in Chipinge, Mufakose in Harare, Nemanwa in Masvingo and Chambuta in Chiredzi, among others, have been spruced up to give budding athletes a chance to train in proper facilities.