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Sports Reporter
Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane yesterday emphasised the need for infrastructural development in the country’s 10 provinces to ensure they have enough facilities to host the revised Zimbabwe National Youth Games.
He made the call during a Press conference at his offices in Harare. The Games get underway tomorrow in Matabeleland North. This year’s Games have been expanded with 22 sport codes on offer and they are set to run until August 27.
They will also see the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, Zimbabwe Tertiary Institutions Sports Union and agricultural colleges taking part.
The 10 provinces will also be in action. There will be two age-groups — the Under-18 and Under-23.
While Matabeleland North are the hosting province, some of the sport codes — swimming, tennis, handball, hockey, shooting and cycling — had to be moved to Bulawayo because of the unavailability of facilities.
“A major issue that needs attention going forward, maybe starting with Midlands next year, is that as Government, we need to invest in infrastructural development in all the provinces across the country in as far as the hosting of the National Youth Games is concerned.
“Athletics comes out tops as far as the absence of adequate facilities is concerned.
“We need to invest in the development and construction of tartan tracks in all the 10 provinces so that athletics is done properly,” said Hlongwane.
The majority of the events will be in Hwange and Victoria Falls. Hlongwane, however, said he is happy with the preparations for the Games in Matabeleland North.
“The nation must understand that this is the first time that we are implementing the Revised Strategy of the National Youth Games, it is a mini-Olympics of Sport and Recreation in our country.
“We have expanded the number of games, it obviously brings with it serious logistical responsibilities on the part of the local organising committee, Sports Commission as well as the Ministry of Sport and Recreation.
“I must say at the moment I am happy with the preparations that have gone on so far in terms of mobilisation of resources,” said Hlongwane. The Games are now starting at the ward level to provincial level and then national event.
Online Reporter