adminSikhumbuzo Moyo
THREE Southern Region provinces will troop into camp today ahead of the 11th edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games that will be held in Bulawayo from 17-25 August. The three provinces, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Midlands will join their counterparts Masvingo and Matabeleland South who got into camp in their respective provinces last Saturday.
According to the Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC) Southern Region manager Isaiah Mpofu, Matabeleland North will camp at Townsend High School, Midlands will be at Chaplin High School while Eveline High School will house the host province Bulawayo.
Masvingo will camp at Victoria High School while Matabeleland South are at Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo High School.
“We are on the home stretch now, the last batch of provinces troops into camp tomorrow (today) as they make their final preparations ahead of the annual games,” said Mpofu.
He said each province is expected to bring about 235 athletes.
The Southern Region manager expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far by provinces in terms of paying their affiliation fees which have been pegged at $70 per athlete.
“All provinces in our region have paid something towards their affiliation fees which is pleasing especially with the deadline for payment still ahead,” said Mpofu.
He remained hopeful that the region will do well this time around compared to the poor show exhibited at the 10th edition of the Games in Bindura, Mashonaland Central.
During last year’s games, Bulawayo did well as they came second behind Youth Games powerhouse Harare after accumulating 10 gold, 13 silver and 15 bronze medals, coming one gold medal short of dislodging Harare.
Masvingo were the second best Southern Region province but fourth overall with nine gold, six silver and three bronze medals.
Midlands came sixth with seven gold, six silver and 13 bronze medals while Matabeleland South were eighth with five gold and silver as well as 12 bronze and anchoring the medal table standings was Matabeleland North who got just a single gold medal and three silver and bronze medals respectively.
“Our hope is that we do well this time and already there is light because you can see by the enthusiasm even from the athletes,” said Mpofu.
The draw for the ball games has already been conducted with Pool A in the boys’ soccer set to be the group of death as it pits past winners.
Traditional giants, Harare, Midlands and hosts Bulawayo have been paired together as well as Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces while in Pool B, Mashonaland West will fight it out with Masvingo, Mashonaland East, Manicaland and Mashonaland Central. Bulawayo and Harare are set to continue with their rivalry once more with the winner of the group likely to go all the way to the winners’ podium.
During the second and last Youth Games General Managers’ assembly held at a city hotel last month, it was revealed that accreditation will now be done online where an official website www.zscorea2z.com <http://www.zscorea2z.com> was also launched. Applicants will be able to download the accreditation form, fill it and submit.
Five higher education institutions have already been identified for accommodation as well as three secondary schools.
The five institutions are United College of Education, Bulawayo Polytechnic College, School of Hospitality, Hillside Teachers’ College and the National University of Science and Technology while the three high schools are Northlea and Milton High schools as well as Girls College.
The city’s only university will also play host to the track and field athletics competition while Bulawayo Courts for the Disabled (BCD) and Girls College will play host to boys and girls’ basketball. Boxing, which in the history of the Games has had some of the biggest crowds, will be held at Sizinda and Stanley halls.
Emakhandeni and Girls College will play host to tennis competitions while volleyball will be held at Milton High School.
Girls soccer will be at Barbourfields Stadium (outside grounds) while boys will fight it out at White City Stadium.
Games Villages: Nust, Hillside Teachers’ College, UCE, Bulawayo Poly and School of Hospitality
Competition Venues:
Athletics: Nust
Basketball: BCD and Girls College
Boxing: Sizinda and Stanley Halls
Handball: Luveve and Northlea High Schools
Tennis: Emakhandeni Hall and Girls College
Volleyball: Milton High School
Girls Soccer: Barbourfields grounds
Boys’ Soccer: White City Stadium
Netball: White City Courts
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