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Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mthuli Ncube, has pledged support for the various initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
Minister Mthuli said this while touring Mufakose Youth Interact Centre together with the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry, where her Ministry has revamped and constructed some facilities which include a multi-purpose court, basketball court and a netball court.
“I am very impressed with the development, and the state of arts facilities that I saw today, and all the other facilities that I have been shown,” he said.
“After witnessing such marvellous work may I take this opportunity to assure the Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation, Honourable Dr Kirsty Coventry, that I am going to support, give more support for this concept to reach community centers, which are benefiting our youth.
The Government availed a $20 million Covid-19 relief package to assist athletes, and artistes, with each of the two sectors getting $10 million.
Some of the athletes have already received the funding to help them navigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Ministry of Sport have also been looking at resuscitating Community Centres and, this year, they are targeting 40 such Centers across the country.
Ncube was also briefed on the criteria for applications by athletes.
“I know that there are various programmes that the Ministry is running and, as Treasury, we stand committed in supporting the youth.”
The Finance Minister said he is aware more resources are needed and it’s an area they were going to look into, including other options such as tapping into the devolution funds, for such projects.
“My Ministry is going to prioritise a proposal on establishing state-of-the art Youth Interactive Centers like this one throughout the administrative districts in Zimbabwe.
“In this regard, I would channel more resources to support this noble cause as youth, athletes and artists constitute the largest demographic population,” Ncube said.
There was also a question and answer session with artists and athletes
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