adminTHE Senior Minister of State in the President’s Office, Simon Khaya Moyo, has pledged to assist the Africa Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games Local Organising Committee to secure more funding from Government following the review of its budget.
Speaking after meeting the LOC and touring some of the sporting venues that would be used for the Games on Friday, Khaya Moyo said he had learnt that the committee needed more funds to ensure preparations and hosting of the Games went smoothly.
Khaya Moyo, who is chairman of the inter-ministerial committee on the Games, said he will use this week’s Cabinet meeting to ask for more funds for the LOC.
“I have taken note of the shortcomings on the financial side and I together with Honourable Minister (Andrew) Langa will next week take the issue to Cabinet and I am certain we will be able to bring the funds for you to ensure that everything goes according to plan,” said Khaya Moyo.
LOC chairperson Khonzani Ncube disclosed that their budget had slightly risen following additional requirements by the Regional Organising Committee. She was not at liberty to go into specifics about the requirements.
“Everything is on course with the original budget that we had prepared, it is only additional requirements from ROC that we need to finance,” said Ncube.
However, presenting his 2014 mid-term fiscal policy review on Thursday, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa said refurbishments at various facilities in the city would require $9 million and that to date only $3,5 million had been availed.
“Targeted works to be undertaken in preparation of these Games are estimated to require $9 million. So far resources amounting to US$3,5 million have been availed towards the upgrading of the facilities in Bulawayo, which will be hosting the AU Region Five Games various sport disciplines,’’ said Chimanasa.
Giving the breakdown of the amounts required for the refurbishment of the facilities, Chinamasa said works at Hillside Teachers College would need $735 000, Bulawayo Athletic Club $163 000, Barbourfields Stadium $612 000, White City Stadium $3,1 million, Luveve Stadium $721 000, Bulawayo City Pool $1,3 million, while other projects would gobble about $2,3 million.
Khaya Moyo was full of praise for the LOC saying they were a dedicated team and that he was certain all targets would be met.
“I am impressed by the work the LOC has done and this gives me confidence that we are going to host one of the most memorable events in the Games’ history. After touring the facilities I am certain that come 30 September, the majority of the venues would be ready for handover to the ROC. Work is progressing well and I think we will have quality infrastructure after the renovations,” he said.
Khaya Moyo met the LOC in a closed door meeting in the morning before touring venues that included the City Swimming Pool, Bulawayo Athletic Club, Hillside Teachers College and White City Stadium.
The Senior Minister was accompanied by Home Affairs Minister, Kembo Mohadi, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Langa, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ray Ndhlukula, Sports, Arts and Culture permanent secretary, Dr Thokozile Chitepo, LOC chairperson, Ncube and LOC chief executive officer, Elkanah Dube, among other officials.
At the City Pool, a new warm up pool is being built while the big pool will also receive minor alterations. White City Stadium will have a new VIP section, once renovations are done, and the cycling track is being demolished so that the athletics track has eight lanes as per international standards, while a tartan track would replace the current cinder ash surface that has been removed.
Hillside Teachers College will be used as the Games Village and hostels and the dining hall have already been spruced up while technicians are working on fixing boilers at the institution.
Other facilities being renovated include Luveve and Barbourfields Stadiums.
New flood lights are being erected at Luveve Stadium and a new Zesa sub-station is being installed at the grounds, where a double story VIP section and media box are also being erected. New dressing rooms are also under construction and a training pitch is also being created just outside the main turf.
Khaya Moyo said improved infrastructure will not just be used for the Region Five Youth Games but will leave a legacy for the City of Kings as it will be used for future events and would play a critical role in nurturing future sport stars.
“The stadiums are a big legacy for Bulawayo and I am sure we are going to see more stars emerging in the near future due to the availability of this infrastructure,” he said.
Ncube thanked the Government for the tremendous support they had given to the LOC, adding they would ensure the Games are a success.
The Zone Six Games were inaugurated in 2004 in Mozambique following a Council of Ministers of the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) Zone VI meeting held in 1997 in Cabinda, Angola. On 7 September 1999 during a special meeting of the Zone Six Supreme Council for Sport in Africa in Johannesburg, it was agreed that the Games be held bi–annually on a compulsory and rotational basis by the member states.
The Games have since been organised and hosted by Mozambique in 2004, Namibia in 2006, South Africa in 2008, Swaziland in 2010, while Zambia hosted the fifth edition in 2012.
The aim of the event is to use sports to achieve peace, integration and unity in Africa and as a vehicle for encouraging people to develop and come together irrespective of colour, economic status, political inclination, class or gender.
Online Reporter