The Sunday Mail
THE African Union Sports Council Region V Under-20 Youth Games Local Organising Committee (LOC) maintains that it will not compromise quality for speed in the upgrading of venues.
This follows reservations expressed by the regional body’s head, Mvuzo Mbebe, who noted that while most of the facilities are almost ready to host the games, to be staged in Bulawayo next month, a lot of work was still outstanding at White City Stadium and the City Pool.
LOC chairperson Khonzani Ncube said while they are confident that all the construction work and renovations will be finished by the November 15 deadline, they are also wary of running the risk of rushing the process and submitting venues which will not pass the test of time.
“There is no doubt that we are going to hand over all the facilities before November 15. All the equipment, some of which was imported, is now here and work is in progress as we speak.
“Last time there were reservations with regards to our progress with the pool and White City but everything is now well on course.
“Our major aim is to hand over facilities that will leave a legacy for the city and the country. We don’t want facilities that are only good for a few months and then start deteriorating immediately after the games.
“It is for that reason that we have had to rely on input from a number of specialists and we are currently waiting for the last report before finishing off,” said Ncube.
The call by the organising committee boss comes on the heels of the ever deteriorating surface at Rufaro Stadium which has failed to withstand the test of time despite getting a lot of plaudits when it was laid.
The organisers are now installing the tartan track at White City as well as floodlights to allow some of the competitions to be held at night in cooler temperatures.
The pool is also being extended and having electronic timers installed in line with international standards.
The Games will run from December 4-15 in Bulawayo.
