Bulawayo can feel the Games

Bulawayo Bureau
FEEL the Region 5 Youth Games, for they are almost here. For two weeks, the city will come to a virtual standstill as more than 1 300 athletes from 11 different countries compete in nine different sports codes.
The Games’ coming to Bulawayo will not only be felt by sportspersons but downstream sectors as well, which makes it important for everyone to fully embrace this showcase.

The City of Kings is certainly ready to host the Games.

Barbourfields, Luveve and White City Stadiums have received a permanent facelift that will be a legacy long after the athletes have left.

Even the Games’ chairperson, Mvuzo Mbebe, quipped during a tour of venues this week that Barbourfields was now ready to play host to the Nations Cup.

One can actually touch the excitement that has engulfed the residents of this great city ahead of the sporting showpiece that gets underway on December 5 and ends on December 15.

Last night, the draw for the Games was held in Bulawayo.

Guest of Honour, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Andrew Langa, said Zimbabwe was ready to host the showcase.

“The preparations have been thorough, heavy and sometimes challenging,” said Langa in his address.

“These Games are going to be a success because of the support we have received from His Excellency President Mugabe.

“We are proud to be your hosts and we would like to assure you of Zimbabwean hospitality.

“Sport builds friendship and as a region we speak one language of tolerance. May the spirit of Ubuntu guide us.”

Zimbabwe, through the then Minister of Education, Sport, Art and Culture, David Coltart, in November 2012 signed a Protocol Agreement to host the Supreme Council of Sport in Africa ZONE VI 2014 Under-20 Youth Games.

The Zone VI now the Region 5 Games are held under the auspices of the African Union, and Zimbabwe has been selected to host the 2014 games for the SADC region in December 2014.

They are for athletes who are Under-20 and are held every two years and are a sports platform aimed at improving the development of sport in the SADC Region in preparation for higher continental and global sport competitions. It was up to Zimbabwe to choose the host city for these Games and two were in contention namely Harare and Bulawayo.