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Nonsikelelo Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
THE rebranded Zimbabwe National Youth Games that were meant to roar into life in Matabeleland North province tomorrow have been pushed back to Monday.

Acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Recreation Benson Dube yesterday said teams were expected to arrive in Matabeleland North on Saturday ahead of the start of the games on Monday.

He said the postponement was aimed at giving provinces more time to prepare after the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays.

“It is true that the National Youth Games have been moved forward from August 17 to 21. Teams will arrive on August 19 and games begin on the 21st, while the official opening will be held on August 26,” said Dube.

He said the official opening would coincide with the prize giving.

Dube said the games’ technical team was still finalising on venues after Victoria Falls Primary School refused to avail its rugby grounds. Rugby is now likely to be moved to Bulawayo. It has also been rumoured that athletics could also be moved to Bulawayo.

However, Dube said no one could refuse with facilities earmarked for the games.

“We will hear from the technical team and officials, but no one can refuse with a facility. I am not sure about athletics, which was supposed to be in Hwange. Matabeleland North was behind in terms of preparations and we might have to move athletics to Bulawayo because we want to produce athletes whose timings are internationally recognised,” said Dube.

Victoria Falls Primary reportedly notified games’ organisers at the 11th hour that the school wasn’t ready to host any rugby matches because the grounds were in a bad shape and maintenance was underway.

Victoria Falls Primary School board member Yvonne Jandles said: “We haven’t met with officials and we are going to do so this week then we can talk.”

Victoria Falls was supposed to host chess, darts, golf, kickboxing, rugby and weightlifting, and Dube said the technical team would advise in due course.

“People are talking about moving games to Bulawayo. It’s the issue of capacity. The challenge in Matabeleland North is accommodation. Traditionally we would have around 1 000 athletes who can be accommodated in a few schools around, but this time we have more than 10 000 and that’s a huge number,” said Dube.

Fatima High in Lupane will host some of the disciplines, with Hwange playing host to the majority of the 22 sporting codes.

@nonsy_m