Zimpapers Logo

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday lit the torch for the African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games as the nation gets ready to host the sixth edition of the biennial event.
The AUSC Region Five Games are scheduled for December 5 to 14 in Bulawayo, with 11 countries expected to compete in athletics, basketball, boxing, judo, football, netball, swimming and tennis.

The Games are running under the theme “Reaching for Greatness”.

The President reassured the nation and participating nations and various stakeholders of his support.

“To signify our commitment, preparedness and readiness to host the games that are to be held in Bulawayo from 5th to 14th December 2014, we have gathered here to do the symbolic act of lighting the torch, itself a practice with its origins in the Greek culture, where lighting a torch would signify the commencement of the Olympics.

“The fire from the torch is bright, warm and lively, a vivid symbol of several things: order, discipline, dedication, commitment, determination, thus embracing the well-known requisite virtues of sportspersons.

“The torch I am lighting today, therefore, encapsulates the message I have for the hosts, the guests, participants, the supporters,
trainers and organisers of the 2014 Under-20 Youth Games. All involved are urged to practise proper, good sportsmanship and thorough fair play. We should let the deserving athletes, as the theme of the Games says, “Reach for Greatness”.

“The Under-20 Youth Games are aimed at promoting and strengthening, within Southern Africa, community spirit, peace, unity, solidarity and brotherhood in the region.

“Zimbabwe is therefore most happy and proud to be hosting the Games,” said President Robert Mugabe.

He said sport plays an important role in society and the Games created various opportunities not only to the sporting fraternity but also for different industries.

“We should realise that sport plays a vital role in society. It cultivates friendship, tolerance, unity amongst us and above all, it cuts across our regional borders. When we play sport, we speak one language of coming together to participate in and share the joys.

“Sport teaches us to work hard so as to do well. It is my wish that, collectively, we all do our best to develop and support sport.

“I am also excited that these Games bring with them opportunities to develop our human power, through interactions and sharing of ideas, and above all, the opportunity of turning sport into a vibrant industry.

“Opportunities are therefore created for our industries, since all industries need to gear up themselves, ready to supply the various commodities required for the duration of the Games.

“I would like to conclude my remarks by assuring you all, of my Government’s total commitment and support for sport in Zimbabwe. For that reason, we have set aside and dedicated a whole Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, led by an energetic team led by the Minister, and his Deputy and officials,” said President Mugabe.

Speaking at the same function, Senior Minister of Sate in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, said they would be handing over six of the nine venues to the Regional Organising Committee at the end of this month.

Ambassador Moyo was updating His Excellency President Robert Mugabe on the state of preparedness of Zimbabwe to host the regional event.

“We are pleased to announce that Zimbabwe will hand over six of the nine facilities to the Regional Organising Committee by 30 September 2014.

“The completion of work at the remaining facilities has been delayed due to essential but additional building works required by building engineers — but will be completed not very long after 30 September. And certainly in a timeframe that will not jeorpadise the hosting of the Games,” said Ambassador Moyo.

Some of the facilities include the Bulawayo swimming pool which now has an international electronic scoreboard, Barbourfields Stadium, Luveve Stadium and White City Stadium to be used for football.

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa, said they were grateful to the President for his support for the Games.

He said they were working hard to ensure that the Games were a success.

“My ministry is working in collaboration with several key players in government, the business sector and non-governmental organisations. As the efforts intensify towards the date of the Games, they are working tirelessly well above and beyond the expectations of the normal duty,” Cde Langa said.