Under-20 Games funds availed

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE government has released the first batch of funds to kick-start work on facilities for the African Union Region Five Under-20 Games to be held in Bulawayo in December.There have been worries over the delay in carrying out the renovations, especially with the amount of work involved.

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture Thokozile Chitepo told Chronicle Sports yesterday that part of the money had since been released.

“The first batch has been released, the process is in motion and as we speak, officials from Public Works are already down there assessing which areas need urgent attention,” said Chitepo.

She added: “Like we have always said, these are important Games for the nation and the Government of Zimbabwe remains fully behind the successful hosting of the showpiece”.

Part of the renovations will see Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of football, Barbourfields, having its seating capacity increased to over 30,000 while two more changing rooms will be built to bring them to four.

The VIP stand will also be renovated to meet international standards while at Luveve Stadium, the present dressing rooms will be changed into public ablution facilities that will accommodate close to 60 people at any given time.

New modern dressing rooms with lockers and bathing facilities will be built on the western side which is also where the VIP stand will be located which will also have cover.

Barbourfields will be used for the opening and closing ceremonies as well as finals for girls and boys’ soccer. At Luveve Stadium, recommendations from the technical committee are that they should move the dressing rooms to the western end while at White City Stadium the cycling track will be demolished so that the athletics track has eight lanes as per international standards.

Terraces at the stadium were condemned by the city’s engineers and will be demolished and proper ones erected. As part of the legacy gains, hostels to house about 4,000 athletes and used by students at Nust afterwards were to be built. Because of the cash constraints it now appears all athletes will be stationed at Hillside Teachers’ Training College.