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Region 5 secretary-general Mvuzo Mbebe (third from left) and Sadc Sports Ministers and representatives get a feel of the tartan track at White City Stadium yesterday

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
A delegation made up of five ministers of sports and two sports ministers’ representatives from the Sadc region yesterday certified Zimbabwe as ready for the sixth edition of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games which kick off this afternoon.Led by the chairman of the Council of Ministers, Zimbabwe’s Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Andrew Langa and the chairperson of the regional organising committee, Mvuzo Mbebe, the ministers kicked off their tour with a visit to Bulawayo Athletics Club before proceeding to Bulawayo Swimming Pool.

Part of the tour was Lesotho Sports Minister Thesele Maseribana, Botswana Sports Minister Thabelo Olopeng, Swaziland Sports Minister David Ngcaphela, Angola deputy Sports Minister Albino Da Consecao, personal assistant to Namibia’s Sports Minister, Rev Hausiku and Zambian Sports  director.

After the two venues, the delegation visited the ZITF where there will be basketball and judo competitions. At Hall 5, venue for judo, the tatami cushions on both competition and warm up venues had been laid. The tatami cushions are where the judoka (competitors) fight on.

The ministers’ first concern though was Hall Three and Four, venue for basketball whose courts are yet to be built but Mbebe was quick to allay any fears that the ministers might have, assuring them    that the equipment has already left Durban and was by last night expected to be at Beitbridge Border  Post.

He later told the media that a team was dispatched yesterday to facilitate quick border clearance.

“We should be done by tomorrow (today) evening,” said Mbebe.

The main basketball arena has a seating capacity of 5,000 spectators.

After visiting Barbourfields and Luveve stadia which have been upgraded to international standards, the ministers were taken to White City Stadium, venue for athletics competition.

The tartan track has now completed a full circle with the only thing remaining being the lanes, which the delegation was told will be done before start of the competition on Monday.

“The ministers are very satisfied and convinced that Zimbabwe is ready, yes they had concerns about basketball and White City Stadium but those fears have been allayed,” said Mbebe.