BULAWAYO, which hosted the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games in December last year would only realise the full legacy of the games by utilising the infrastructure left, the local authority has said. NQOBILE BHEBHE CHIEF REPORTER
Bulawayo City Council said it “makes sense” for the infrastructure, including movable assets “taken elsewhere for safekeeping pending decision on disposal” to be retained by the city.
This comes as city fathers have resolved to complete renovations at some of the sporting arenas in a bid to strengthen the administration of sport and make Bulawayo a hub for developing youth in various sporting disciplines.
In its latest monthly full council report, the local authority said it would continue maintaining the improved facilities as well as finish work on those that were not completed during the preparation for the games.
“Most of these were removed and taken elsewhere for safekeeping pending decision on disposal,” reads part of the report presented by housing and community services director Isaiah Magagula.
“The council will benefit from some of this equipment as clarified by Sport, Art and Culture minister at a press conference held at Bulawayo Rainbow on January 16 2015.
“It makes sense though, that council should benefit, as most of these sporting activities are accompanied by props and movable equipment and are rendered virtually useless without. The ‘legacy’ is in the utilisation of this infrastructure.”
Magagula said the government ploughed huge resources towards infrastructure and facilities development and “all these now made up the legacy for the City of Bulawayo.
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As custodian of this legacy, the city had to maintain the infrastructure and whatever props/movable equipment these games would leave to it. It must devise a strategy to make these venues and facilities accessible to the city’s sporting stakeholders.”
The council said it would strive to establish a position of sports administrator under community services and the technical officer’s role would include, among other activities, liaising with the Sport, Arts and Culture ministry.
Education already does that with regards education matters — liaising with sporting associations and create committees for different sporting disciplines at relevant venues.
The council said the Bulawayo Athletics Club which hosted tennis was completed and usable although not ideal for night events because of poor lighting system. The drainage system, however, still needs further attention.
Leaks in some ablution facilities and changing rooms at Barbourfields Stadium need attention.
