THE much-awaited African Union Sports Council Region V Under-20 Youth Games roar into life next Thursday in Bulawayo, with President Mugabe expected to officially open the event.
The biannual sports jamboree is being hosted by Zimbabwe for the first time while it’s the second biggest tournament after the All-Africa Games in 1995.
Eleven countries descend on the City of Kings for the biannual sporting extravaganza participating in eight disciplines namely; soccer, basketball, athletics, boxing, netball, swimming, judo and tennis.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC), head of marketing and media, Kenny Ndebele, said Zimbabwe is ready to host the region with works at the various venues complete.
“Yes we are ready for the games,” he said.
“The contractors are putting final touches to the infrastructure especially the imported track at White City Stadium.
“The games village is at Hillside Teachers’ College and the facilities have been spruced up for the visitors.
“Team Zimbabwe is already in Bulawayo while the visitors are expected to start trooping in over the weekend.
“A fleet of 200 vehicles is in place and branding is underway to ferry the athletes and officials to and fro the venues.”
About 1 000 athletes and 300 officials are expected to gather in Bulawayo for the games.
Ndebele said they were expecting a huge turnout of people from all walks of life.
A number of successful road shows on publicising the regional event have been held in weeks preceding the event.
The official opening will be held at Barbourfields Stadium and the LOC is considering erecting big screens outside the city’s biggest stadium.
The first edition of the Youth Games was held in 2000 in Angola while the 5th edition of the Youth Games was hosted by Lusaka, Zambia, two years ago.
Venues for the African Union Sports Council Region V Under-20 Youth Games include, Bulawayo Swimming Pool, Bulawayo Athletics Club, Luveve, Barbourfields and White City Stadia, Bulawayo City Hall and Trade Fair Grounds.
However, after the games there is need for the tapped talent to be nurtured for future tournaments like the All-Africa Games and the Olympics.