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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Games’ ‘Meet Jumbo, the Mascot’ road show which was held on Saturday in the City saw the mascot literally stealing the show with scores of residents stampeding to get a glimpse of him.
Thousands of city residents came out to get a glimpse of Jumbo the Mascot at all the venues visited.
Named Jumbo, this was the second time that the mascot got to meet the residents of Bulawayo. Saturday’s road show was organised by the marketing department of the Games’ local organising committee led by Kennedy Ndebele.
The convoy started from the central business district and headed to Makokoba’s Efusini Shopping Centre.
Scores of residents there, including children as young as three years came out in their numbers to get a glimpse of the proceedings and Jumbo did not disappoint as he danced alongside award winning dance group Iyasa.
From Makokoba the convoy, comprising of 10 cars, went to Entumbane’s Nhliziyo Shopping Centre via Barbourfields and Mzilikazi surburbs. Again at Entumbane scores of residents came out to get an update on the Games. Emakhandeni was the next stop before the entourage proceeded to Cowdray Park. People took turns to take photographs with Jumbo the Mascot while Iyasa entertained the crowd.
Meanwhile, the official Games torch will today be taken to Masvingo province.
“Unfortunately Midlands have advised us that their Provincial Affairs Minister won’t be available so our scheduled trip with the torch tomorrow has been postponed but we expect to be advised on the new date soon,” said Dave Simba, the chairman of the marketing committee.
From the Midlands, it will then go to Matabeleland South before heading to Matabeleland North and then finally come to the host province Bulawayo where it will take a tour of the province’s five districts namely Reigate, Imbizo, Khami, Bulawayo Central and Mzilikazi.
The torch was officially lit by President Mugabe on September 18 at the State House in Harare.
derick.khumalo