Langa meets Region V LOC

Sport
SPORT, Arts and Culture minister Andrew Langa will this morning give an update on the African Union Sports Region V Under-20 Youth Games to be held in Bulawayo in December.

SPORT, Arts and Culture minister Andrew Langa will this morning give an update on the African Union Sports Region V Under-20 Youth Games to be held in Bulawayo in December.

SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER

Twelve countries that include hosts Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Malawi, Lesotho, Botswana, Mozambique, Angola, Swaziland, the Seychelles and Mauritius had initially confirmed participation at the games, but three more Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar have shown interest in taking part in the biennial competition.

Games local organising committee (LOC) chief executive officer Henry Manzungu yesterday confirmed the minister’s meeting.

“I am not privy to all the details, but I know that the minister will give his brief on the Region V games tomorrow (today) morning. The local organising committee, board and the LOC secretariat and officials from the ministry will also attend,” he said.

The budget for the African Union Sports Region V Under-20 Youth Games that had been set at $46 million was trimmed to $16 million after the organisers shelved plans to construct a new games village last month. Meanwhile, the Bulawayo director of housing and community services Isaiah Magagula has been appointed to serve in the Region V Games LOC according to the latest city council minutes.

The minutes state that tenders have been awarded in preparation for the games.

“A great deal of preparatory work had been done towards the hosting of the games, one of the major issues being to upgrade the venues,” the minutes read.

“With regard to council venues, work had been tendered out and on Friday May 23 2014 the sites/venues were handed over to successful contractors. The affected venues were Bulawayo Athletics Club, the Bulawayo Pool, White City stadiums, Luveve and Barbourfields stadiums. As some activities might still be taking place in these facilities, council’s administration had nominated its officials to liaise with local organising committee and contractors at its venues.

“The City Hall and Trade Fair grounds where boxing and basketball would take place were to be attended to later, whereas the Hillside Teacher’s College to be used as the participants’ village would be done by Public Works. Council was expected through its departments to facilitate/monitor work in its area of jurisdiction; in particular the Housing and Community Services and Engineering Services departments.”