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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
“FEEL them, they are here!”
This was the bold statement from the local organising committee’s chief executive officer for the sixth edition African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games Elkanah Dube yesterday.

The veteran administrator said the country was ready to play host to the much awaited regional sport extravaganza whose activities start tomorrow and end on December 15 in Bulawayo.

With participating countries already in Zimbabwe, Dube challenged the Bulawayo community to complement their efforts to stage a memorable event after the 1995 All-Africa Games.

“As the local organising committee for the Games, on behalf of Zimbabwe and Bulawayo in particular, we welcome all our visitors and believe they will enjoy their stay. We put an enormous amount of effort together in attempts to deliver a successful sixth edition of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games,” he said.

“We implore the people of Bulawayo and surrounding areas to complement the efforts made by His Excellency to bring the Games to Bulawayo by expressing their gratitude through supporting the activities. They must come in their numbers to these revamped facilities which are a legacy for Bulawayo and belong to the people.”

True to Dube’s sentiments, Bulawayo will be left with lasting infrastructural legacy after renovations were done at White City Stadium, City Pool, Luveve Stadium, Bulawayo Athletic Club and the city’s ceremonial home of soccer Barbourfields Stadium. Work done at these facilities will make it possible for Bulawayo to bid for international competitions.

Ten countries — Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and the host nation Zimbabwe will compete in eight disciplines which are athletics, basketball, boxing, football, judo, netball, swimming and tennis.

White City Stadium will be home to athletics and netball, Bulawayo Athletics Club (tennis), City Pool (swimming) while Luveve and Barbourfields stadia (football).

Boxing will be held at the City Hall with judo and basketball set for the ZITF.

A revised Games’ schedule will be released today.