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Khonzani Ncube

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE local organising committee for the sixth edition of the African Union Sports Council Region Five Games yesterday left for Masvingo to market the December competition.
All the country’s 10 provinces are in Masvingo for the Zimbabwe National Youth Games which roared to life yesterday and will run up to Saturday. More than 3,000 athletes and officials are taking part in the annual national Games and the committee wants to use the opportunity to market the regional Games, set to be held in Bulawayo from December 4 to 14.

In an interview with Chronicle Sport on Monday, local organising committee chairperson Khonzani Ncube said their trip to Masvingo was a bid to create awareness of the Games across all provinces.

“We want to create awareness by taking advantage of the gathering of the youths there.  In short we are taking the Games to the provinces,” said Ncube who was flanked by her chief executive officer Elkanah Dube.

She said her committee will soon embark on an aggressive marketing drive for the Games as the timeline to hand over the various venues to the regional organising committee draws closer.

Meanwhile, the erection of a world class tartan track at White City Stadium has started, Ncube said.
“As we have always said that preparatory work is in progress and we remain confident that we will meet all set deadlines.  Our contractors are busy as we speak erecting a tartan track at White City Stadium,” said Ncube.

Ncube said the track will have eight lanes as per international standard. The athletics track at the stadium at the moment has six lanes meaning two more will be added. A tartan track is used on all weather conditions and promotes good times.

She reiterated that her committee remained confident that they will meet the September 30 deadline to hand over the facilities to the regional organising committee for trial runs.

“The trial runs are basically meant for the regional body to check for any improvements that might be needed ahead of the Games,” said Ncube.