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Makhosini Hlongwane

Bukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
THE Ministry of Sport and Recreation is on the verge of signing Memorandum of Understanding with China and Cuba that will see the two countries building and rehabilitating the country’s sporting infrastructure. Addressing representatives of the various national sport associations at a sensitisation meeting in Bulawayo yesterday Minister Makhosini Hlongwane said he will be meeting the Chinese Ambassador on Monday to start the process.

“The availability of standard and accessible facilities is pivotal for the growth, development and general delivery of sports and recreation programmes. In general, facilities for sport and recreation are inadequate especially in rural areas, schools and western suburbs. I think it is proper that we build world standard facilities for every sporting code in each province to optimise best performance,” said Hlongwane.

He added that another major project was in the pipeline to bring in Pakistan sports goods company to encourage the use of proper world standard equipment for sporting codes.

“We’re also working on engaging a company from Pakistan to help with the supply of sports goods so that we encourage the use of proper equipment for our sports at grassroots level,” he said.

Recently the Ministry called for the decentralisation of all National Sport Associations’ administrative structures so as to promote the growth and nurturing of talent at grassroots level.

The Ministry also encouraged people to embrace the spirit of daily physical activities and for communities to regularly organise sport and recreational festivals and galas.