adminPlaxedes Sibanda Sports Reporter
THE Bulawayo Province Youth Games team received a resounding send-off at the Large City Hall on Friday afternoon promising to successfully defend their title at the 12th edition of the National Youth Games that kicked off in Masvingo yesterday.The team was in high spirits and were confident of coming out tops in Masvingo.
Speaking at the send-off ceremony Acting Bulawayo Provincial Administrator, Fungai Nkunziwalela, who was standing in for Minister of State Provincial Affairs Eunice Sandi Moyo, said they had managed to meet the $72 000 budget for the team.
“The province set a budget of $72 000, and we have met the 100 percent of the budget. In Masvingo, Bulawayo aims to defend its championship in this prestigious national tournament,” said Nkunziwalela.
Bulawayo Provincial Sports Management Board marketing and publicity manager Dave Simba also confirmed that the team was fully prepared for the games.
“All participants’ affiliation documents have been sorted and all the resources are in order. We are sending a big team which camped for nearly a week and we are certain that we will excel,” said Simba.
Provincial education director Dan Moyo urged athletes to bring back the championship.
“The provincial leadership has done everything within its means to make sure you are adequately prepared as you embark on your journey to Masvingo. I am quite sure the technical officials as well have psyched all of you enough to go and defend the title you won last year when we hosted the same games and I believe this will enhance your chances of being selected for national team,” said Moyo.
Bulawayo Provincial Sports Management Board chief executive officer Raj Modi was among the dignitaries who graced the send-off ceremony for Team Bulawayo.
The 219 member Bulawayo team will participate in eight sport codes namely soccer, handball, netball, volleyball, athletics, tennis, boxing and basketball.
Harare Province, which has won the champions a record nine times, has set a team of more than 250 athletes.
Last year, Bulawayo scooped 16 gold, 12 silver and 12 bronze medals at the 11th edition of the Games to emerge victors for the first time in the history of the Games after playing second fiddle to Harare for several years
In 2010 and 2012, Bulawayo were runners-up while in 2011 they were in third position.
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