admin
Vusumuzi Dube Sports Reporter
THE 2014 African Union Sports Council Region Five youth games to be hosted by Zimbabwe will leave a legacy in Bulawayo, the host city, that will last for years to come, a Cabinet Minister said last night.Speaking at the official launch of the preparations for the games yesterday at a Bulawayo, the Senior Minister of State, Simon Khaya Moyo said Government is fully committed to the hosting of the games as they will leave a big legacy in Bulawayo.
“These youth games will bring a mixed package for Zimbabwe in terms of the refurbishment of sporting facilities, sports tourism and jobs for the people of Bulawayo and Zimbabwe, this all coinciding with Government’s economic blue print of Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation, part of whose thrust is to create economic growth through recreational activities such as sports.
“We appreciate the effort that has been made by all who are working towards the hosting of these games and further call upon other sectors like non-governmental organisations, churches and individuals to chip in and assist where they can so we can ensure a successful youth games,” said Khaya Moyo.
He said the Zimbabwean Government was fully committed to the games and was offering all the support it could so that come 4 December all would be in place for the games to commence.
“The Government has committed $9 million for infrastructure development and $4,5 million for operations, we are fully committed and further look forward to the achievements set to be gained after these games.
“As the theme of the games states; ‘reach for greatness’ during the games all of us must reach for greatness, promote fair play, anti-doping and good sportsmanship,” said Khaya Moyo.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa said it was all systems go in terms of preparations for the games noting that they expected that by 30 September the facilities that were currently being renovated would be ready to be handed over to the Local Organising Committee.
He paid gratitude to President Mugabe who he said had resisted moves to take the games to Harare but had insisted that they stay in Bulawayo.
“At one point we considered moving the games to Harare, which already has the infrastructure but the President was the first to insist that they be held in Bulawayo, the reason being that they would surely leave a legacy in the city in a lot of spheres, be it infrastructure or boasting of our economy.
“We are receiving overwhelming support from the Government and the corporate world but we continue calling on more people or organisations to come forward and assist us achieve greatness through the successful hosting of these games,” Langa said.
Pesent at the launch were Ministers of Energy and Development, Dzikamai Mavhaire, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Olivia Muchena, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Bulawayo, Eunice Sandi Moyo and Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Harare Miriam Chikukwa among the dignataries.
The youth games are set to held from 4 to 15 December and will be officially opened by President Mugabe. Fifteen countries are set to converge on the city with about 2 000 athletes and officials taking part in different sports codes. The athletes will take part in soccer, basketball, tennis, swimming, netball, volleyball, athletics, judo and boxing.
Online Reporter