The Herald
4th December 2014
FORMER Sports Minister, David Coltart, has urged the people of Bulawayo to come out in full force and support Zimbabwean athletes who will take part in the Region 5 Youth Games that get underway tomorrow.
Coltart was instrumental in getting the sporting showcase to the City of Kings during his time as Sports Minister.
He said Bulawayo will be left with a legacy of some fine sporting facilities when the Games end.
“This morning, I visited four of the Zone 6 Youth Games venues, namely BAC tennis courts, White City Athletics track, White City netball courts and the Parirenyatwa Street pools,” Coltart said on his Facebook page.
“There is mainly good news but there are also still some major logistical hurdles to overcome. The tennis and netball courts are ready, the pools will be ready before the swimming starts on December 10. There remain, however, major challenges at White City athletics track as the tartan track is still being laid.
“The German contractor responsible for laying the tartan track is going flat out now that the civil works are almost complete but this process normally takes three weeks to do.
“When complete, Bulawayo will have some magnificent state-of-the-art facilities.”
Coltart urged Bulawayo residents to support the Games.
“The Games start on Friday, December 5 2014,” he said.
“I urge all Bulawayo citizens to turn out in force to support our athletes. I reiterate that this should not be about partisan politics.
“I remain proud to be a Zimbabwean and a citizen of Bulawayo.
“I am proud of our youngsters who are competing – they deserve our support and it is up to us, the citizens of Bulawayo, to make these Games a success.
“It is also our responsibility to make all the visiting teams and their supporters welcome.”
Meanwhile, the official opening ceremony for the Games has now been set for Sunday, the organisers announced yesterday.
“Please take note that the official opening ceremony is now on Sunday, December 7, 2014. See you there as we Reach for Greatness.”