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Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
MINISTER of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo is convinced the city will play host to a Africa Union Region 5 Youth Games to remember.
The Games start on Thursday with the official opening at Barbourfields Stadium. President Mugabe is expected to officiate.
In an interview yesterday, Minister Moyo said she was confident that the city would live up to its billing.
“We’re ready for the Games. A lot of work has been done in priority areas, from my briefing I’m made to believe that it’s small things that have been left like matters to do with catering at the Games Village and procurement of final things,” said Minister Moyo.
The veteran politician said work was still in progress at some of the venues for the sporting disciplines. She said it was not an isolated Zimbabwean situation to have workmen still chasing deadlines
“They’re busy working round the clock. It’s common that people don’t finish organising a wedding until the final minutes. It happens also with Games such as this that there will still be some touch ups until the start.
“We aren’t lagging far behind. The engineers say we will be ready and will manage to host Games to remember. Things will be in place for the competition to start and I urge Bulawayo people to come to the opening ceremony on Thursday in their numbers.
“We will not let Bulawayo and Zimbabwe down. I believe we’re ready now,” she said.
Moyo said the fact that the Games’ start was coinciding with the Zanu-PF Congress meant that some resources could be split.
“We’ve an issue where the Games clash with the Zanu -PF Congress. Some of the buses will be used to ferry people to it meaning that resources will be split,” said Minister Moyo.
She appealed to thousands within walking distance to find their way o the stadium and residents to practise good citizenry by ferrying their neighbours to Barbourfields Stadium on Thursday.
“It will be entertainment galore and we urge the Bulawayo community to come in their numbers. People will be entertained by top acts and it’s an opportunity for the people to see a number of sporting disciplines around the city,” said Minister Moyo.
Teams have started arriving as have technical staff from confederations who are expected to work with the main drivers of the event — the volunteers and local organising committee.
Online Reporter