2014 African Union Sports Council Youth Games
- 28/10/2014 <--Prev : Next-->
On September 19th 2014, a symbolic torch was lit in Harare celebrating Zimbabwe's commitment and preparedness for the 2014 African Union Sports Council Youth Games which are to be held in Bulawayo from December 5 to December 14.
Through the former Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart the Zimbabwean government signed a protocol agreement last year to host the Supreme Council of Sport in Africa (SCSA) Zone VI 2014 Under-20 Youth Games which are held under the auspices of the African Union.
Zimbabwe was then selected to host the games, which are held biennially with the aim of developing sport in the SADC region.
11 Countries are expected to compete in athletics, basketball, judo, football, netball, swimming and tennis. The theme for the 2014 Games is 'Reaching for Greatness'.
A Games Village has been established at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and that construction is set to ease the institute of higher learning's current accommodation crisis after the games.
'The major negative point against Bulawayo being able to host the Games was the absence of a suitable Games Village to house the 4 000 athletes. However, it was argued that the Games provided a unique opportunity to address the lack of residential accommodation at NUST which, at present, can only accommodate 32 students although it has a student body of several thousands. Accordingly, a key component of the decision was made to construct halls of residences at the National University of Science and Technology which will be used as the Games Village.
In addition, a wide variety of existing sports facilities in Bulawayo will be upgraded. The total estimated investment by Government is the sum of $42 million, the bulk of which will be spent on the Games Village/Residences for NUST,' Senator Coltart said.
Some of the facilities which have been upgraded for the Games include the Borrow Street Swimming Pool, Bulawayo Athletic Club tennis courts, Barbourfeilds, Luveve and White City Stadiums.
One should see the tremendous developments happening at the Borrow Street Pool for the Youth Games in December 2014. They have installed a new touch-pad pool east of the present one and the added LED lights, an electronic score board - amazing developments for our City of Kings.
Other facilities that are being revamped are the Bulawayo Polytechnic, Hillside Teachers' College and various schools in the city that include Northlea High, Founders College, Evelyn Girls School, Milton High, Girls' College and Dominican Convent.
More facilities to be used are ZRP Drill Hall, the Large City Hall, Bulawayo Club for the Blind, Raylton Sports Club, and ZRP Ross Camp.
The Government has committed to spending $42 million on the upgrading of the various sporting facilities in the City Of Kings.
