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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
MATABELELAND North province has set a budget of $50,000 for the upcoming Zimbabwe National Youth Games set for Chinhoyi next month.

The province will comprise a delegation of 150, one of their biggest numbers since the inception of the games in 2013.

Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) Matabeleland North provincial coordinator Newman Masuku said their budget requirements would carter for camping, transport and affiliation fees.

“We are still running around trying to raise that amount. Letters have been sent out to various organisations, but we are yet to get responses although we remain hopeful. Marathon meetings are lined up as we race against time,” said Masuku.

He said the team would camp at Townsend High School from August 10 until its departure for the games.

“It was felt that Townsend High School was central and easily accessible,” said Masuku.

Matabeleland North, who came ninth in last year’s event held in Mutare, have had perpetual problems pooling resources. This is in spite of the province being rich in natural resources and being home to the country’s premier tourist destination Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park.

They have largely survived on the benevolence of Hwange Colliery Company and the Zimbabwe Power Company, mainly in the form of transport.

Masuku said they were hoping to do well in team sports such as football where they won silver last year after losing to Bulawayo in the final through penalty shootouts.

They have been drawn in Group A with Matabeleland South, Mashonaland West, Harare and Masvingo.