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Elkanah Dube

Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
SEASONED administrator Elkanah Dube has been appointed to the position of local organising committee acting chief executive for the African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Games replacing fired Henry Manzungu.Dube, the Hillside Teachers’ College principal and former Highlanders FC vice-chairman as well as board member, has been entrusted with the sole mandate of heading the Loc’s secretariat and ensure that Zimbabwe and Bulawayo in particular runs a successful event in December.

Andrew Langa, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, on Saturday told this publication that he had given Manzungu the boot after failing to meet set standards and expectations that were given to him upon his appointment.

In a telephone interview last night, Langa confirmed Dube’s appointment and described him as a shrewd administrator who will ensure that the Games are a success.

“I have appointed an astute administrator Elkanah Dube to act in the office of the Region Five Youth Games as the chief executive officer with immediate effect. It’s only a few months before the Games and his experience will come in handy in leading the administrative side as we prepare to host a memorable event in December. We cannot afford to embarrass the nation by being unprepared and I have confidence in Dube’s ability to deliver.

“I also have faith in the local organising committee chaired by Khonzani Ncube and I urge all relevant stakeholders to lend her all the support that she needs so that Zimbabwe holds successful Games.

“We can all make sure that the Bulawayo Games leave a lasting legacy by working together,” said Langa.

The local organising committee is expected to hand over the facilities to the Region at the end of September.

Ncube said they will meet the target.

“We are well within the time line to deliver some of the facilities to the African Union Sports Council Region Five by September 30. As the LOC board chairperson, I am happy with how everyone is working to make sure that the Games are a success.

“Dube has been my deputy and I have confidence that he is going to do a good job as the head of secretariat,” said Ncube.

The African Union Sports Council Region Five secretary-general Mvuzo Mbebe was impressed with the work on the ground and visited all the facilities that were being spruced up for the Games.

Mbebe was in the country last  week ahead of the launch held on Saturday and toured Barbourfields, White City and Luveve stadia.

He also visited the City Pool where work is progressing well. Hillside Teachers’ College will be the Games Village.

“We have been here for a week and we are confident Zimbabwe will meet the deadlines that have been set. In a number of cases work is 50-70 percent complete,” said Mbebe.

Bulawayo will benefit from the improved sporting facilities.