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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
MASVINGO Province, hosts of the 12th edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games, have declared themselves ready to welcome the other nine provinces when the annual event starts on Sunday.
Masvingo town comes into life on Sunday up to Saturday next week as more than 3,000 athletes and officials partake in the games that were inaugurated in 2003 in Bulawayo.
The provinces will compete in eight sporting disciplines that have been spread in five venues across the Ancient City.
“Yes, we are ready to play host to other provinces,” said Noreen Kureva, the Sport and Recreation Commission’s administrative clerk for the province.
Like all the other provinces Kureva conceded that preparations had not been that smooth as they had financial challenges due to the delay by provinces to pay their affiliation fees.
“Preparations have not been that smooth. We had challenges financially because most provinces could not meet the deadline for affiliation fees,” she said.
According to Kureva, Victoria High School will play host to athletics and handball while three sporting disciplines will be held at Mucheke Stadium, namely volleyball, netball and football.
Basketball and tennis will be held at Kyle College while girls football will be held at the Mucheke B Grounds and Mamutse.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo province will have a colourful send off ceremony today for its athletes before departure for Masvingo tomorrow.
“We will march from Hamara Eggs along 9th avenue to the City Hall parking lot where our provincial Minister of State Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo will address us,” said the SRC provincial coordinator for the province Sam Dzvimbu.
Bulawayo province are the defending champions after accumulating 16 gold medal in last year’s games which they hosted.
Vice-President Joice Mujuru is earmarked to officially open the games on Sunday at Mucheke Stadium.
Online Reporter