THE African Union Sports Council Region V Under-20 Youth Games local organising committee (LOC) has identified the Bulawayo City Council ZITF Pavilion as a suitable venue to set up a Doping and Treatment Centre for the games. NQOBILE BHEBHE CHIEF REPORTER The Region V Youth Games will be hosted in Bulawayo from December 5 to 14. President Robert Mugabe is scheduled to officially open the games in the city.
According to a council report, the LOC recently engaged council on the doping centre venue, a facility which is key for the LOC to be on the lookout for any doping cases during the games.
The Housing and Community Services director Isaiah Magagula said the council acceded to the request, but attached conditions.
One of the sticking conditions was that the LOC should take care of the water and electricity bill that might accrue during the duration of the games.
Council pays about $7 000 half yearly as rentals for the pavillion.
Other conditions were that council be indemnified against injury or loss of life; any promotional materials are removed and any structural damages are made good at the end of the games and there should be a formal handover/takeover before applicants assume the use of the pavilion in order to verify its status.
“The engineering services director concurred with the acting city economic development officer and pointed out that “while it was appreciated that the games will be held in Bulawayo, sight should not be lost that use of council facilities will incur such expenses as water and electricity bills.
“These bills had to be footed by someone and council currently has liquidity constraints. It was recommended that council accedes to the use of the Pavilion, but LOC should meet the costs of water and electricity” part of the report of the environmental management and engineering services committee, reads.
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However, deputy mayor, councillor Gift Banda objected to council charging the LOC for use of the facility saying ‘the residual benefits these games would outweigh any costs likely to be incurred by council in making this facility available.
