adminSikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Games local organising committee (Loc)chief executive officer Henry Manzungu has been fired, Chronicle Sport can exclusively reveal.Manzungu, a golfer, was appointed as the organising committee’s head of secretariat with the sole mandate of organising and running successful Games that will be held in Bulawayo in December.
In an interview soon after the official launch of the Games at a local hotel on Saturday night, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa said Manzungu had failed to meet set standards and expectations that were given to him upon his appointment.
“I have fired the local organising committee chief executive officer, Manzungu. By Monday he won’t be in office and you can write that,” said an emotional Langa.
Asked why the former Zimbabwe Saints fringe player was being booted out a few hours after the launch of the Games, Langa said the government and President Mugabe in particular were determined to have successful Games that will leave a lasting legacy in the history of the Youth Games.
“He has failed to demonstrate an ability to lead us into holding successful Games hence the reason why I have decided to fire him,” said the minister.
He refused to disclose Manzungu’s replacement but sources indicated that Premier Soccer League chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele could be appointed as head of secretariat.
Meanwhile, the government has called upon the private sector, non-governmental organisations, churches and the general public to work together for the successful hosting of the Games.
In a speech read on her behalf by the Senior Minister of State in the President’s Office, Simon Khaya Moyo, Vice-President Joice Mujuru said the Games should also be used to educate sportspersons on fair play, anti-doping, good sportsmanship and upholding the concept of safe sport.
“We look forward to refurbished and new sports infrastructure, increased sports tourism and boosting of business and jobs in Bulawayo as a result of the Games.
“These benefits coincide with the government’s blue- print, Zim-Asset, whose thrust is to grow the economy, eradicate poverty and empower people through creative and recreational industries such as sport.”
The launch was attended by a number of ministers, diplomats from member countries, representatives of regional sports confederations and senior government officials.
Manzungu could not be reached for comment last night.
derick.khumalo