adminTHE Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 Local Organising Committee has crafted an asset disposal plan that would outline the distribution of sports equipment used during the Under-20 Youth Games held in Bulawayo last December.
LOC chairperson Khonzani Ncube said they have already drafted the plan, which after implementation will enable local athletes to access the equipment.
Currently sports associations are unable to use it for local events, with some expressing concerns over whether they will be able to use it in the near future.
Ncube said the plan has to be approved by the Regional Organising Committee whose members will be in the country at the end of the month for a Region 5 sports confederations forum.
“The asset disposal plan has been completed but it needs the approval of ROC and we will present it to them and after they append their signature, we will put the plan into motion.
“I know athletes are eager to start using it for local events but we have to follow the laid down procedures in accessing the equipment,” said Ncube.
There had been fears the equipment was gathering dust at the local Public Works offices and could soon follow the fate of the apparatus used at the All-Africa Games which Zimbabwe hosted in 1995.
Some of the state-of-the-art equipment that was used for the games include a movable basketball court with electronic scoring and timing devices, a huge boxing ring, swimming touch pads with timers and the latest athletics timing gadgets from Time Tronics.
Earlier this year the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa emphasised that the facilities should be availed to locals at decent fees.
Bulawayo was the beneficiary of various infrastructure upgrades such as the construction of a tartan track at White City Stadium, the renovations at Barbourfields Stadium, Luveve Stadium and the City Pool although there are questions over workmanship at the pool.
Ncube confirmed they would be winding down their operations at the end of the month as earlier planned.
She said any issues that would not have been concluded by end of this month will be dealt with by the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture.
Ncube said the payment of contractors and suppliers for the Games was an ongoing process and those not paid will have to deal with the ministry beginning next month.
The LOC has also put in place a “cleanup process” that will see them remove various banners and signs around the city and in different venues in the run-up and during the Games.
“We have what we term a cleaning process that has already started and we believe by the end of the month we will be through with it.
“However, there is some signage, like the banner we put up at the airport, which might take some time to be removed because of where they are situated,” she said.
Online Reporter