UNIFIED SPORTS EVENT PUTS YOUTH INCLUSION CENTRE STAGE

By SBT Reporter, Harare

The power of sport to unite young people will take centre stage at the Unified Sports Tournament and Youth Inclusion Expo 2026, scheduled for 27 November at Lord Malvern High School in Harare.

The event, organised by Special Olympics Harare in partnership with Amplify Youth and BoysDzaMdara, will bring together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities to compete on the same teams, promoting equality, friendship and community participation.

Running under the theme, “Unified Talent, Sustainable Communities: Driving Inclusive Youth Participation and Economic Empowerment,” the gathering seeks to demonstrate that every young person has abilities and a contribution to make, regardless of disability or background. The programme is scheduled to begin at 7.30am, with admission free to spectators, participants and volunteers.

Hon Andrew Makamadze is expected to address the gathering as Guest Speaker, while BoysDzaMdara National Chairman Cde Hopewell Chako has also been named as Guest of Honour. Speaking ahead of the event, Makamadze said he was humbled by the invitation, adding that efforts to build inclusive communities were a collective responsibility. “To say this is by my own doing alone would not be true. Time and again, I am humbled by such honour, because this work belongs to the people, to the youth and to every community that believes in a more inclusive Zimbabwe,” he said.

The tournament will use the Unified Sports approach, which brings athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same teams. The model is designed to create opportunities for meaningful participation, mutual understanding and respect through sport. Organisers say the initiative is about recognising ability rather than defining people by disability. It also provides an opportunity to challenge stigma and demonstrate that inclusion must be reflected in everyday community life.

Beyond the sporting activities, the Youth Inclusion Expo is intended to connect young people and communities around participation, empowerment and opportunities for sustainable development. Makamadze's participation is being presented as an endorsement of youth inclusion and community engagement. His message is that meaningful leadership must extend beyond public speeches to practical support for young people and communities.

The event's central message is that inclusion should not be treated as an act of charity. It is about recognising the dignity, rights and potential of every person and ensuring that young people have opportunities to participate and contribute.

Athletes, unified partners and community volunteers are being encouraged to register through the official Amplify Youth registration form. The event is open to the public, with organisers inviting families and community members to attend and support the participants.

As the tournament approaches, organisers hope the gathering will leave a lasting message, communities become stronger when everyone has a place, a voice and an opportunity to shine.

Unified Sports Tournament 2026