Red carpet treatment for Coltart Minister Andrew Langa (right) and former Minister David Coltart get a briefing from the director of infrastructure Enock Mpofu at White City Stadium yesterday
Minister Andrew Langa (right) and former Minister David Coltart get a briefing from the director of infrastructure Enock Mpofu at White City                      Stadium yesterday

Minister Andrew Langa (right) and former Minister David Coltart get a briefing from the director of infrastructure Enock Mpofu at White City Stadium yesterday

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE former Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, will receive red carpet treatment during the official opening of the sixth African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Games, for his unwavering stance to bring the Games to Bulawayo.
The former Minister, credited by many with bringing sanity to the education sector, will sit alongside President Mugabe and other Heads of State as well as invited dignitaries.

This was announced by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa, who also said time had come for everyone to put aside their partisan politics and work together towards a better Zimbabwe.

Minister Langa ordered his staff to immediately send an official invitation card to Coltart.
The former Minister has also been roped into the marketing committee led by Premier Soccer League chief executive officer, Kennedy Ndebele.

Speaking at a brief press conference ,after going on a joint tour of White City and Barbourfields Stadiums and the City Pool, Minister Langa said President Mugabe asked him to invite Coltart for a tour of the venues so that he sees the fruits of his (Coltart) work.

“This tour was necessitated by President Mugabe when we went for the official lighting of the Games’ torch at State House. He said I should invite Coltart to see and appreciate his efforts because it’s him who convinced Cabinet to have the Games in Bulawayo,” said Minister Langa, flanked by Coltart.

He said Bulawayo must be proud of Coltart and indeed, President Mugabe, for bringing these Games to the city.
“He received a lot of resistance from some members of Cabinet, but kept on pushing until the President gave him his support, too,” said Minister Langa.

“As late as yesterday, President Mugabe, who was in Lupane, asked me if I had invited Coltart to a tour and I didn’t want to lie to the President, so I said ‘no President, but very soon I will,’ this is why we’re here today”.

Coltart admitted that, at some point, he felt he was losing the battle to bring the Games to Bulawayo.
“I was touched by President Mugabe’s intervention because at one time I thought I was losing the battle to bring these Games to Bulawayo, but the President’s support was the final push that eventually brought these Games here. Bulawayo must appreciate the President’s bold stance,” he said.

Added Coltart: “It’s important that we show Africa and indeed, the whole world, that we can host big sporting events as Bulawayo and Zimbabwe. The corporate world must take ownership of these Games ,not just leaving everything to the government”.

The Games will be held in Bulawayo from December 4 to 15 and will be spread over eight venues.

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