He said that national unity is "the most sophisticated weapon Mozambicans possess, the same weapon that defeated foreign domination".
"It is this weapon that today gives no option to poverty other than to retreat until it becomes history", said Guebuza, addressing the thousands of people who attended the opening ceremony at a Quelimane stadium.
He added "we feel that a united Mozambique is determined to instill in its young people, through the school games, the awareness that each and every one of us has potential that can be exploited for the success of the country as a whole'.
He said that during the 32 years since the country's independence from Portuguese colonial rule, "we have been building Mozambique, always guided by our unshakeable determination to value our dignity".
Speaking of education, Guebuza said that the results of independence are significant. "If today was 1975 (the year of independence), the delegations from the country's eleven provinces would represent only a little over 706,800 pupils. But today, 32 years later, they represent more than five million pupils".
He told the young athletes that it was a great responsibility to represent more than five million school students. "We know that it was thanks to dedication and discipline that you won this responsibility and honour", he said.
Guebuza told the participants that the next ten days of the Games provide an opportunity to consolidate values such as solidarity, mutual support, tolerance, and respect for differences.
He added that it is also an opportunity to demonstrate the necessary humility to acknowledge the value and talent of their adversaries, discipline and respect for the rules, without which there will be no "fair and transparent competition".
Guebuza also called on all participants to ensure that at the end of these School Games they will be committed to fight against the consumption of alcohol and drugs, and against HIV/AIDS.
About 3,000 students, from the 11 provinces, are taking part in the Games.
Each province has sent 124 athletes, 62 girls and 62 boys.
Expressing satisfaction at the organization of the event, Guebuza said "This shows the growth of our awareness that there is only one Mozambique, it belongs to all of us in this diversity, and its socio-economic growth among the nations is thanks to all of us".
SOURCE: AIM
