Chronicle Editor
Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
A COSAFA delegation that was in the country to inspect venues for the upcoming Women’s Championships have raised concern after discovering that some venues have been stripped of equipment which was put up ahead of the 2014 Africa Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region Five Youth Games in Bulawayo.
The delegation also noted poor workmanship done for the hosting of the AUSC Region Five Youth Games.
Cosafa chief executive officer Sue Destombes led the delegation that toured facilities in Bulawayo.
Cosafa was in charge of the AUSC Youth Games tourney and had been hopeful to find pristine venues following infrastructural improvements done in the run up to the regional games.
Local Organising Committee chairman, Omega Sibanda said it was sad to note that furniture that is needed for the hosting of the upcoming tournament was moved from venues such as Barbourfields Stadium.
This means LOC would have to look for equipment to use during the women’s tournament that will run from 13 to 24 September.
Barbourfields and Luveve Stadiums have been earmarked as the venues for the tourney.
Sibanda said it was unfortunate lights for training grounds at Barbourfields were not functioning and needed some work while at the Luveve, the flood lights also needed attention.
“They (Cosafa delegation) have expressed dismay over the fact that some of the equipment and furniture they left here for the Youth Games was stripped from the venues or is not functioning.
“Destombes said they were expecting to find all they left here in place.
“There is concern about the furniture that was removed at BF, tower lights are not functioning well, at Luveve shoddy work was done on dressing rooms and you can’t connect the tower lights, something which will be a hindrance as we might have evening games,” said Sibanda.
He was however quick to applaud the Bulawayo City Council for responding to issues raised saying the council had already attended to the issue of goal posts and the penalty spot.
“Council has been responding positively to any red flag that is raised and I would like to salute them for that,” said Sibanda.
It will be the second time in succession, and the third overall, that Zimbabwe is staging the event. They were also hosts of the last finals in 2011 when they defeated South Africa 1-0 in the final for their maiden trophy win.
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