Mugabe to officially open Youth Games at Barbourfields Stadium

ALL Roads lead to Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon where President Robert Mugabe will officially open the African Union Sports Council Region Five under-20 Youth Games, which kicked off on Friday.

The official opening will be graced by various dignitaries from the southern region, among them visiting ministers of sports from participating countries.

And in keeping with the importance of today's event, most sporting disciplines will take a break today as the spotlight shift to the proceedings at the new-look Barbourfields Stadium.

President Mugabe, who is also the chairperson of Sadc, is expected to give the keynote address at the opening ceremony.

Regional Organising Committee chairperson Vuzo Mbele confirmed that the president will be in Bulawayo and will give the thumbs up for the Games to continue at 4.30 pm at Barbourfields stadium as per schedule.

"His Excellency is expected from the Joshua Mqabuko Airport at 2pm and he will proceed to the Games village where there would be a tree planting ceremony. The official opening ceremony of the games starts at 4.30 at B/F," said Mbele.

The Local Organising Committee marketing and publicity director, Kennedy Ndebele said everything was in place for the ceremony and that the final rehearsals for the event were held at the venue yesterday.

Ndebele said they were expecting a spectacular event that will begin with the opening of the gates at midday and with the official programme kicking off at 3pm.

The official opening had initially been scheduled for Thursday but had to be moved to today due to various reasons.

Local artistes, from over 50 groups, are expected to perform during the ceremony in what is set to be a thrilling show as the Games get into turbo drive.

"The artistes will present a well choreographed act under the theme ‘Sonke, Tose, Together, Reaching for greatness'. The act will include dance, music and poetry," said Ndebele, adding that the acts would be directed by Siyaya artistic director Simon Mambazo Phiri.

At a press conference during the week, Sports, Arts and Culture minister, Andrew Langa said President Mugabe was expected to spend more time in Bulawayo.

Langa called on the people of Bulawayo to throng Barbourfields Stadium and give a hearty welcome to the visiting teams.

"People should come in their numbers to witness this grand occasion that will mark the official opening of the Games. We will take the opportunity to thank President Mugabe for insisting that the Games should come to Bulawayo at a time when most members of Cabinet felt they should go to Harare," he said.

Former Education, Sports, Arts and Culture minister, David Coltart will also be one of the guests today following a request by President Mugabe to give due honour to the former Cabinet minister for being instrumental in bringing the Games to Bulawayo.