Youth Games official launch on Friday

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE rebranded Zimbabwe National Youth Games will now be officially launched in Hwange on Friday after it was postponed last week due to the Presidential Interface Youth Rally at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane.

The launch, which was to be presided over by Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Cain Mathema, was iced to allow youths to attend the important gathering at Somhlolo Stadium that was addressed by President Mugabe. Youth Games’ local organising committee chief executive officer Burzil Dube said it was all systems go for the launch of the Games that will see over 15 000 athletes and officials participating over a two-week period from August 17-27.

“We will be launching the games on Friday at the Edmund Davies Hall in Hwange and we still expect our resident Minister Mathema to officiate. The run up to the official launch will have an inspection of the games’ facilities beginning in Lupane right up to Victoria Falls,” said Dube.

After the inspection by chef de missions of the provinces, there will be a meeting to ascertain the readiness of Matabeleland North to host the games where rules and regulations will also be endorsed.

Dignitaries from the various Government ministries will grace the launch. Beginning this year, the number of sport codes has been increased from the generic eight to 22 disciplines and athletes will also include those from tertiary and vocational institutions as well as the uniformed forces.