adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
The government will soon handover facilities and equipment that was used during the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games to the Bulawayo City Council and sports associations so that the sporting public starts to enjoy the legacy bequeathed by the hosting of the Games in the city.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa yesterday.
There has been an outcry especially from the schools and football teams in Bulawayo who have been failing to access the venues and or equipment with officials saying there has to be a handover ceremony first.
“The handover of the facilities and equipment to authorities like the City of Bulawayo and sports associations will be done soon, we’re just seized with the audit process but once that’s done, we’ll then have a hand-over ceremony in Bulawayo,” said Langa.
He expressed regret at the struggles that schools in Bulawayo have had to endure in accessing the equipment.
“I’m aware that this defeats the whole purpose of hosting the Games if our people are struggling to access these facilities but this is certainly not because of malice on the part of those in charge. I’ll ensure that the audit process is expedited so that we don’t continue shortchanging our people,” said Langa.
Some football teams keen to use Luveve Stadium were recently told that they can go ahead but use only the pitch and not the ablution facilities while the National Association of Secondary Heads’ Reigate district was last week denied access to the athletics equipment for its inter-zonal track and field competitions which were held at White City Stadium.
The Bulawayo City Council has already resolved to appoint a full time sports administrator whose duties among others would be to look after the equipment while also making sure the venues used during the Games are kept at internationally acceptable standards.
Online Reporter