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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
SEYCHELLES have pulled their men’s football team out of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games due to budgetary constraints.The Games will be held in Bulawayo from December 5 to 15 but the official opening has  been tentatively set for December 4.

Drawn in Group B together with champions South Africa, Zambia, Lesotho and Namibia, Seychelles’ pullout now leaves 9 countries in total.

The pullout was announced by the official Cosafa website yesterday.

“There’s been one change to the field for the junior men’s competition at the African Union Sports Commission (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games to be staged in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe from December 4-14.

Seychelles have withdrawn from the men’s tournament due to budgetary constraints.

Group B now comprises four teams — champions South Africa, Zambia, Lesotho and Namibia.
Group A features hosts Zimbabwe as top seeds, followed by Mozambique, Swaziland, Angola and Malawi.

The top two teams in each pool  advance to the semifinals,” read the statement.

Meanwhile, the official Games torch will begin its tour of the five Bulawayo districts on Thursday as the countdown continues to gather momentum.

The torch has been touring the country’s provinces since it was officially lit by President Mugabe on September 18 at State House in Harare.

According to the torch relay programme, Mzilikazi High School will be the venue for the function in the Reigate district. It will then go to Mpumelelo Primary School on Saturday in Mzilikazi district.

On Sunday, the function will be at Pumula Hall under Khami district before heading for Emganwini Secondary School in Mbizo district on Monday next week. The Bulawayo Central district ceremony will be held opposite Bellevue Spar.

In another development, five members of the regional organizing committee touched down at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport yesterday afternoon and will be based in Bulawayo right up to the start of the Games.