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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THE week-long Southern Africa sports extravaganza running under the Africa Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games ends tomorrow with Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo closing the Games.

It has been an eventful week for Bulawayo that saw 10 countries – Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and the host nation Zimbabwe competing in athletics, basketball, boxing, football, judo, netball, swimming and tennis.

South Africa are at the top of the medals table boasting 41 gold medals across all disciplines while the hosts are second with 14.

Andrew Langa, the Sport, Arts and Culture Minister hailed Zimbabwe’s performance and urged the Bulawayo community to give the visitors a “memorable sendoff.”

“The closing ceremony is on Sunday and we expect everyone to be seated by midday. Our Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister umama uEunice Nomthandazo Moyo will officially close the Games. It has been an eventful week and I must take this opportunity to thank the Bulawayo and surrounding communities for being hospitable to our visitors. We’ve shown that Zimbabwe is a hospitable country and sport has united us,” said Langa.

“Let me hasten to thank His Excellency President Mugabe for his support that saw these Games benefit financially and in kind, leaving a lasting legacy for the Bulawayo community. These refurbished facilities will not only benefit Bulawayo but will help Zimbabwe as a whole in terms of sport development.”

Only the boys’ soccer final will be held tomorrow with Zimbabwe, who face Namibia in the semi-final this afternoon, tipped to face-off with Zambia in the final.

The Games, which are running under the theme “Reach for greatness”, have seen the City of Kings’ sporting amenities turned into world class facilities capable of hosting international and continental events.

“His Excellency created the ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture so that these essential needs of the community are well taken care of. It is our hope that in years to come we shall have athletes from these Games earning a living through sport in line with ZimAsset,” Langa said.

Renovations were done at White City Stadium which is the ceremonial home of athletics and netball, Bulawayo Athletics Club (tennis), City Pool (swimming), Luveve and Barbourfields stadia (football) as well as the Games’ Village at Hillside Teachers’ College.

Boxing was held at the City Hall with judo and basketball attracting fair crowds at ZITF.