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Japanese govt donates gymnasium and exercise equipment worth $75 473 to Hillside College

by Stephen Jakes
16 Nov 2015 at 06:51hrs | Views
THE Japanese Ambassador Yoshi Tendai Hiraishi has donated gymnasium and exercise equipment worth $75 473 to Hillside Teachers' College in Bulawayo.

An Embassy official Christopher Mukuvaza said Hiraishi,  officially handed over a gymnasium and exercise equipment to Hillside Teachers' College in Bulawayo on November 10.

"The Project for the Rehabilitation of Gymnasium at Hillside Teachers' College in Bulawayo", was funded by the Japanese Government, to the tune of seventy-five thousand four hundred and seventy-three dollars (US$75 473)," said Mukuvaza.

In his speech Hiraishi said the refurbishment of the gymnasium as well as the procurement of equipment have been completed through

"The Project for the Rehabilitation of Gymnasium at Hillside Teachers' College in Bulawayo" with funding from the Japanese Government of seventy-five thousand four hundred and seventy-three dollars (US75,473), which was inaugurated at a signing ceremony in January this year," he said.

"The rehabilitated gymnasium will not only to enable the college students to gain more knowledge and skills of sports in a more appropriate setting, but also benefit the local community at large in terms of expansion of opportunities for sports activities."

Hiraishi said the Japanese Government places great emphasis on the assistance in the field of sports known as "Sports for Tomorrow" toward the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020. Support for this project is part of the Embassy of Japan's efforts to enhance sporting activities in Zimbabwe.

Hiraishi emphasized the importance of the College's own efforts for the maintenance of the facility and expressed his hope that the gymnasium would be fully utilized for years to come.

Bulawayo Provincial affair minister Eunice Moyo, said the refurbishment of the gymnasium as well as the procurement of exercise equipment was made possible by a grant of over 75 thousand dollars that the Embassy extended to the College in January this year.

"Many of the participants here, I believe, still remember the signing ceremony held here regarding this project," she said.

"We are delighted that the work has been completed ahead of schedule, which will enable students and local people to enjoy the facility even sooner. We would like to commend the College's efforts to make the project successful. Our appreciation also goes to  Eiko Mori, one of our JOCVs who has been assigned to this college as a teacher of physical education, for her support and great contribution to the success of the early implementation of this project."

She said they place great emphasis on the assistance in the field of sports known as "Sports for Tomorrow" as we approach the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.

"In this context, support for this project is part of our efforts for the enhancement of sporting activities in this country. It is our sincere hope that this project will enable the College to foster more advanced teachers by offering classes in an improved learning environment and will enhance the availability of sporting  activities for community members in this area," Moyo said.

"Finally, I would like to highlight one very important aspect of our assistance of this kind. As an implementing partner, we are merely assisting the College's own efforts to improve the learning environment for students and community at large."

The minister said now that the rehabilitated gymnasium and relevant equipment are officially handed over to the College, it is the noble responsibility of the College to take good care of them.

"We have no doubt that staff will spare no effort to maintain the building and equipment properly and to make the gymnasium more attractive for the benefit of students and local people. Even after JOCVs leave this College sometime in the future, we hope that the sustainability of the facility will be assured for years to come," she said.

"Let me conclude my remarks by expressing my sincere hope that the gymnasium and equipment will be utilized to the maximum extent and that this College will eventually be recognized by the local community as a ‘sports centre' in Bulawayo. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours."


Source - Byo24News