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Ricky Zililo, Sports Reporter
ORGANISERS of the 11th edition of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games to be held in Bulawayo next month have revised their budget from $1,6 million to $1,4 million. The Games which are tentatively set to run from 17-24 August will have 3 000 athletes and officials from the country’s 10 provinces.
Sam Dzvimbu, the Bulawayo provincial Sport and Recreation Commission sports co-ordinator said they had to review the budget after securing new quotations.
“We have since revised the budget after securing the latest quotations. At least 60 percent of the 10 provinces that will be participating at the Games have paid their initial deposits.
“We have been advised that the Government will give us $150 000 and we expect to raise at least 40 percent of the total budget from a fundraising dinner to be held in Harare on 4 July.
“We are also making headway in terms of material resources and through the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Governor’s office we are hoping to unlock potential partners to ease the budget,” said Dzvimbu.
At a fundraising dinner which was held in Bulawayo early this year, the local organising committee raised $238 000 and it is against this background that they hope to surpass the figure in Harare on Thursday.
Participation fees have been pegged at $70 per athlete for the seven-day sporting extravaganza.
The participants will compete in athletics, basketball, boxing, football, handball, netball, tennis and volleyball.
About $300 000 of the budget is earmarked for feeding the participants with renovation of the sporting facilities in the country’s second largest city also expected to get a big chunk.
The SRC Southern Region manager Isaiah Mpofu said the Games will leave a lasting legacy and tomorrow they will have a ground breaking ceremony at Luveve High School where the LOC will construct two handball courts.
As part of the gains for this year’s Games in Bulawayo a road will also be repaired in Luveve.
“Preparations are on course with people working on the facilities and we are targeting to finish all renovations and construction of other facilities by end of the month.
“Our partners Zinara who are coming to assist us will work on rehabilitating the road leading to Luveve High School and there will be a ground breaking ceremony on Tuesday,” said Mpofu.
Some of the facilities which are being worked on include Emakhandeni tennis courts, the grounds outside Barbourfields Stadium which will play host to girls’ soccer and White City which will be home to netball and boys’ soccer.
A handball field will be constructed at Northlea High School and the LOC will also refurbish an existing handball court.
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