Julia Kamarenga

Alcohol and drug abuse, lack of recreational and sports facilities, unemployment and a lack of resources are what the youth in the Epukiro constituency identified as hindrances to their development.

The young people said if accorded equal opportunities and platforms, they will be able to soar out of the miserable positions they find themselves in, and possibly help themselves and their communities through sports.

These were some of the sentiments at the beginning of a weeklong workshop facilitated by the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service in Epukiro last week.

In 2020, this ministry, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, launched the Integrated Physical Education Sports programme, which is ongoing in schools.

It is a major attempt to improve the health of children, both physically and psychologically.

It aims to reactivate physical education in an integrated fashion, and is also designed to benefit and develop out-of-school youths.

Rodger Kambatuku, a sports officer from Khomas, said the Epukiro constituency forms part of only three constituencies, being Linyanti in the Zambezi region and Groot Aub in Khomas, where the project is being piloted.

He noted that during the piloting phase, they want to determine whether there is interest and willingness to participate amongst the targeted groups because the programme intends to impact many young people in the selected constituencies.

Kambatuku thus urged the participating groups to come up with community service initiatives which will positively address the identified challenges in the constituency.

The regional councillor for the Epukiro constituency, Piniel Pakarae, on his part reminded the participants to embrace the opportunity and strive to make a difference in their villages as community governance contributes highly to human growth and development.

He also encouraged the young people to develop initiatives around eco-cultural tourism for their benefit and that of the constituency at large.

Pakarae further urged the participants to sustainably use what is available to them, and called for unity of purpose to ensure that they achieve their common goals, which would eventually contribute to regional development. 

The piloting phase is slated for November. Thereafter, the teams will come together for games. 

The full implementation of this programme countrywide is highly-dependent on the success of the piloted projects.