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The VIP stand at White City Stadium which is under construction

Ngqwele Dube Sports Reporter
THE African Union Sports Council Region Five under-20 Youth Games Regional Organising Committee secretary general Mvuzo Mbebe says failure by Zimbabwe to meet the September 30 deadline to finish renovation of facilities will not affect the country hosting of the Games. Addressing the media after touring several venues that include White City, Barbourfields and the City Swimming Pool on Saturday, Mbebe expressed satisfaction with the progress being made so far.

“Work on the venues only began in June, which is three months down the line and I believe with the work that has been done so far it is beyond expectations. While we had set deadlines, we cannot be mechanical about them and be rigid but with the work that I have seen I feel we’re still on course to holding a great sporting event.

“As ROC we’ve our ways of nudging the country to ensure everything goes according to plan,” said Mbebe, adding that they were certain they would have the venues in their hands by November, the month set by ROC to hold a test event to ensure everything was in place.

“I was quite impressed by the progress made and the commitment that has been shown by government, particularly the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa and the local organising committee.

“I believe there are only finishing touches that will be made to venues beyond the deadline and by mid-October everything would be finished. What we’ve to understand is that infrastructure for such sporting events rarely meets the deadline and if we remember well, Brazil was still constructing stadia right up until the official opening ceremony of the 2014 World Cup.

“The minister has promised to ensure everything is on course and I believe there is commitment to meet this promise,” he said.
Mbebe was taken on the tour along with Langa and several other LOC officials.

The Games will run from December 5-14 and would involve athletes from 15 countries.
Several venues undergoing renovations include the City Pool, Luveve Stadium, Barbourfields Stadium and White City Stadium while Hillside Teachers College which will be used as the Games Village is having a spruce up.