adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
GOVERNMENT has received a boost in its preparations for the African Union Sports Region Five Youth Games with the State reducing its initial budget after securing key partners who will assist the country to successfully host the event.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa yesterday revealed that they had revised their budget for the Games from an initial US$46 million to US$16 million.
Langa told journalists after a meeting with the African Union Sports Council Region Five led by secretary-general Mvuzo Mbebe and the Games general manager, Stanley Mutoya that they had cut down on their proposed expenses after getting partners who have agreed to come on board.
Acting President Joice Mujuru chaired the meeting between the government and the African Union Region Five Sports Council which is in the country to assess Zimbabwe’s preparedness.
“The initial budget to start with as I gave you when we spoke about these Games it was US$46 million but we have reduced it to US$16 million.
“Why we have reduced it because we now have friends, we now have partners that are coming on to these Games who will assist us in terms of constructing a village, the refurbishing of White City, Barboufields and so on.
“So the US46 million yes that’s what we wanted to ask for but according to our ZimAsset, a blue book which we have in this country we agreed that even with a t-shirt you are wearing something you don’t need a suit.
“And I want to assure Zimbabwe that we will not give our athletes what they don’t deserve, we will give them the best in terms of the stadiums, the venues where they will be competing, we will give them the best.
“We did it as a country for the UNWTO in Victoria Falls under pressure, without resources and under the auspices of the GNU and we cannot fail now when we are running the country as one party Zanu PF we will not fail definitely.
“Zimbabweans should be happy, people of Bulawayo should be happy these Games will be held in the city of kings and queens Bulawayo,” said Langa.
Zimbabwe will host the competitions, formerly known as Zone Six Under-20 Games from December 4 to 15 in Bulawayo and preparations are already underway with construction and refurbishment of the venues to be used during the events.
The meeting was also attended by Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Olivia Muchena among other delegates.
“There is a delegation that came from Zone Six Games Under-20 that will be hosted by Zimbabwe this December from the 4th to 15th. Firstly I want to say the visitors were the secretary general comrade Mvuzo Mbebe and Stanley Mutoya who is the general manager for the Zone Six Games.
“Their visit was meant to appreciate our state of preparedness as a country to host these Zone Six Games. I am happy to tell you that this meeting was chaired by our Acting President Amai Mujuru,” said Langa.
Langa said preparations are going on well and is confident they will meet the deadline to handover the infrastructure to be used during the Games.
“Zimbabwe is ready to host the Games from the 4th to the 15th of December. In terms of infrastructure that will require refurbishment, construction of the buildings and so on Zimbabwe is ready to handover these infrastructures to the regional organising committee by the 30th of September which is the stipulated time when we should handover these buildings.
“We also have a local organising committee which is already in place in Bulawayo and as we speak now they are already working towards identifying athletes that will compete in these Games,” Langa said.
The Sport, Arts and Culture Minister said they are grateful to Her Excellency the Acting President, Mujuru who donated 25 computers and 15 printers towards preparations for the Games.
“We also appreciate as the ministry the support that we are receiving from the highest office, the office of the Acting President, Her Excellency Amai Mujuru. She today has donated 25 computers towards the preparations of these Games and also 15 printers. We want on behalf of the ministry to thank her for this gesture.
“I want to assure the country that Zimbabwe will host these Games under the guidance of His Excellency President R.G Mugabe and also under the guidance of the support that we are getting from the entire government.
“And that these Games will be held in Bulawayo as planned. With regards to the athletes village we are not changing, Nust will be our venue for housing the 1 200 athletes we still maintain that. . As for our fall back we will also make use of Hillside Teachers College which we have had also to refurbish alongside the construction at Nust.
“I want to say all the preparations are on course and we are certain that as a country we will host these Games. And I am happy to tell the country that the visiting delegation which was led by Comrade Mvuzo Mbebe is happy and believe that we will be able to host these games in Zimbabwe” said Langa.
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