Youth Games preps gear up

Senior Sports Reporter
PREPARATIONS for the 13th edition of the National Youth Games to be hosted by Manicaland are at an advanced stage with the official launch of the Games set for today at Golden Peacock Hotel in Mutare.Manicaland will be hosting the Games for the second time in the history of the multi-sporting discipline youth competitions which are scheduled for August 16 to 23 in Mutare.

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Mandi Chimene, will be the guest of honour during the official launch.

The province is already scrounging for the $1,5 million needed to successfully host the Games.

Although part of the amount will come from the provincial subscriptions, the Local Organising Committee will obviously be looking forward to the business community for sponsorship, in cash or kind.

LOC general manager, Zechariah Chikwangwani, confirmed that the launch is set for today.

“We will have the official launch of the 2015 National Youth Games at Golden Peacock Hotel on Friday. As we are all aware, Manicaland is hosting this year’s edition of the Games and we are already working on our preparations.

“We sincerely hope that we will get the support of the corporate community. During the launch, tables will be sold for $500 for 10 people and $50 for couples while $30 will be charged for singles.

“We really call upon the people of Manicaland and beyond to come and support this noble initiative,” he said.

Apparently, Manicaland hosted one of the best organised, if not actually the best, National Youth Games edition in 2010.

“The concept of the Games is a strategy by the Government to stimulate growth and development of sport in the country. The intention is that talent identified from these Games would be nurtured and form the basis of our national teams for international competitions,” said Chikwangwani.

It appears the Manicaland LOC will now have to work overtime to ensure successful hosting of the annual event given the prevailing liquidity crunch as well as the fact that they only have exactly 14 weeks left before the Games begin.