adminLiberty Dube Weekender Correspondent
IN a bid to inform and create awareness on the country’s commitment to host the sixth edition of the Africa Union Region V Under-20 Youth Games, a games torch-lighting ceremony will be held today (Friday) at Mutare Hall. Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Chris Mushohwe is expected to be the guest of honour.
It is scheduled to start at 9am.
The youth games will be held from December 4–14 in Bulawayo.
The Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games torch is one of the games’ symbols which the region uses to signify the importance of the games.
The other games’ symbols are the logo, the mascot and the cauldron.
In an interview, Sports and Recreation Commission Manicaland provincial co-ordinator Shupikai Berejena said Manicaland had 10 athletes who would be part of Team Zimbabwe.
“The 10 comprises three basketball players and seven athletes. Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Chris Mushohwe is the patron of the ceremony and will receive the torch on behalf of the province. He will also read President Mugabe’s speech to the stakeholders. We call upon stakeholders and individuals to come in their numbers and give this event the respect it deserves,” he said.
The youth games are hosted biannually on rotational basis by the 10 countries in the region.
The torch for the games was lit on September 18 at State House in Harare by President Mugabe as a symbol of hosting and commencement of the games in December 2014.
The region takes its leaf from the Olympic torch which is ignited several months before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.
The torch briefly travels around Greece via short relay, and then starts its transfer to the host city.
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