adminTHE equipment used during last year’s African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Games will be handed over to the intended beneficiaries in Bulawayo in a fortnight.
Khonzani Ncube, the games Local Organising Committee chairperson yesterday disclosed that as part of the legacy of the event, all the movable assets will be disposed in the next two weeks. She was speaking after a meeting with the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Makhosini Hlongwane at the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing warehouse where the bulk of the equipment is being kept. Ncube said an asset disposal plan which should be signed off by the games Regional Organising Committee prior to the handover was already in place.
“The idea of these Games was to leave a legacy that entails that the people of Bulawayo benefit from the infrastructure and the equipment. We are in the process of finalising the asset disposal plan, it has to be signed off by the ROC, that is to make sure that those facilities are accessible whenever there are regional competitions. That should be done in the next two weeks,’’ said Ncube.
Minister Hlongwane revealed that the equipment used during the Region Five Games would be made available to the relevant sports associations through the Sports and Recreation Commission.
The SRC was represented at the meeting by its Bulawayo coordinator Sam Dzvimbu and southern region manager Isaiah Mpofu.
Indications are that the basketball equipment will be handed over to the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe and housed at the Bulawayo Club for the Disabled which is the venue used for national competitions in the city. Dzvimbu said BUZ had indicated that they could not afford to accommodate the basketball floors at BCD as they were too big and they could only use the hoops without any flooring.
Boxing gear is expected to be given to the Zimbabwe National Boxing Control Board while the athletics movable equipment will be made available for use by the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe. Minister Hlongwane raised concerns on the way the movable equipment was being stored, stating that there was a need for it to be moved to where it was going to be put to good use.
“I am not happy with the way the equipment is stored, it will wear and tear because of storage due to weather and other elements. There is a need for it to be removed,’’ said Minister Hlongwane.
Earlier on in the day, Minister Hlongwane visited Khumalo Hockey Stadium which was constructed by the Government for the 1995 All Africa Games and refurbished again by the State in 2010. Gavin Stephens, the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe treasurer, in a brief discussion with the minister expressed concern at the lack of advertising at the facility due to the fact that the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing retained 60 percent of all the revenue generated which had chased away any form of marketing at the stadium.
Minister Hlongwane promised to look into the issue.
Minister Hlongwane, who toured the facilities used during the AUSC Region Five Games last Friday described his coming to the city as a way of appreciation and familiarising himself to what was on the ground.
Minister Hlongwane also met Zifa Southern Region chairman Musa Mandaza on Friday and also visited the association’s Bulawayo offices. National Supporters’ Association president Edmore Chivero also had a brief discussion with the minister yesterday before he toured Elangeni Training Centre where furniture used during the games is being kept.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter