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Updates by Stanford Chiwanga 

Afternoon all: We are here at Barbourfields Stadium to witness President Mugabe officially opening the AUSC Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games.

15:30:  A huge crowd has filled Barbourfields Stadium. And President Mugabe has made his way into the stadium.

 

15:39: Dave Simba, the MC, introduces the teams. The first out of the tunnel is Zambia followed by Angola.

 

15:41: Botswana make their way into the pitch. Malawi then Mozambique. Namibia. South Africa. Swaziland. 

 

15:52: Guess who is next? You guessed right – it’s the motherland – ZIMBABWE. And TEAM ZIMBABWE GETS A STANDING OVATION

15:55: You gotta love the DJ who selected the Zimbabwe music list. Top notch stuff.

15:57:  The theme song of the games is being belted and the crowd goes wild. Jumbo, the games mascot takes to the dance floor.

15:59: And the teams have lined up like soldiers at parade.

 

16:00: The Minister of Sports and chairperson of the AUSC games, Andrew Langa, takes to the podium.

16:05: Bulawayo will never be the same again in terms of sports infrastructure – Langa

16:06: President Mugabe you personally had an interest to see the games coming to Bulawayo. Siyakubonga baba wethu – Langa

16:07: We are going to host the best games ever. We welcome all our guests. Feel at home.

16:08 Mvuso Mbebe, the AUSC Organising Committee chair takes to the podium.

16:09: He thanks the government of Zimbabwe and President Mugabe for making the games a success. “I salute you”, he says.

16:10: Bulawayo has been empowered through the upgrade of sports infrastructure, which is now of international standard. These upgrades are part of ZimAsset.

16:15: Zimbabwe is hosting the games thanks to President Mugabe, says Langa as he introduces President Mugabe.

16:17: President Mugabe takes to the podium….

16:18: The President is speaking now….

16:20: This is a momentous occasion for the city of Bulawayo – President Mugabe.

16:22: Zimbabwe feels proud to have been entrusted with the responsibility to host the games – President

16:24:  Sports plays a vital part in human relations. It builds friendship. These particular games are targeted at youths. The region has introduced this competition with the aim of developing talent. I urge all competitors to use this regional competition to shine. Give it all your best.

16:26: President Mugabe implores the athletes to abstain from drugs. He urges them to stay clean. And to adhere to fair play.

16;30:  The AUSC games have changed the landscape of Bulawayo. The government has immensely improved the infrastructure of Bulawayo. The games have brought business opportunities and employment for the people of Bulawayo.

16:31: The holding of the games has provided fundamental support for ZimAsset

16:32: President congratulates the games organisers for working hard to make the games a success

16:35: Win or lose amhlophe, makorokoto. I wish all participants the best of luck. I don’t wish losers. I wish all of you to win. Bulawayo has won. We have all won.

16:36: President Mugabe declares the games officially opened. That’s the end of his speech.

 

 

16:40: President Mugabe now conferring awards (medals of honour) to outstanding athletes, teams and sports administrators of the AUSC.

16:45: More images of team Zimbabwe below…

 

16:51: President Mugabe has finished conferring medals of honour to athletes, teams and administrators. Sadly Zimbabwe has not won anything.

16:55: The teams make their way to the terraces reserved for athletes. Meanwhile, Jumbo is still dancing. He is bound to sweat in that elephant costume.

 17:00: The AUSC Games Torch is being displayed around the stadium.

17:05: Things get interesting and more exciting…. Behold the images below

 

17:35: President Mugabe getting a photo shoot with the games organisers. That is done. He is off to more pressing matters. His duties here are done.

17:39: Right, that’s all from me. But you can follow updates of the ladies football match between Zimbabwe and South Africa on Twitter – @ChronicleZim.