Rutendo Mawere
23 August 2008
Hunger stalks the sixth edition of the annual National Youth Games which were officially opened in Gweru on Monday.
Athletes representing the Midlands province, who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Standard that since getting into camp for the games two weeks ago they have been surviving on a very skimpy diet.
They said the meals comprised mostly sadza and boiled cabbage, but that the situation worsened over the weekend as they reportedly only had porridge for breakfast, with no lunch or supper.
"For Saturday and Sunday we only had porridge in the morning," said one of the athletes, speaking on behalf of the others.
"We are staying at Regina Mundi and most of the food is prepared here at the polytechnic so we were just told that food would come but we never got to eat anything."
Sports and Recreation Commission information officer Shadrec Williams would not take any questions about budget issues referring The Standard to one Nyakotyo, said to be in charge of finance. He could not be reached for comment
However, sources closer to the organisers told The Standard that there were problems regarding the provision of food for the participants as funding was inadequate. The sources said the ever-rising cost of food compounded the problem.
The sources said besides food shortage, the organisers were also having to grapple with transport and accommodation problems.
They said the organisers had drawn up a budget of US$4 000 with half of the amount supposed to be raised by the Local Organising Committee, and the remainder being raised from affiliation fees paid by the 10 participating provinces.
Although the sources could not give the exact amount that was ultimately raised they said it was about half of the target, which left the games under-funded.
The games which were supposed to be officially opened by the Vice-President, Joice Mujuru, were opened by the Midlands Province Governor Cephas Msipa.
Youths aged between 14 and 19 are eligible to take part in the games, which comprise eight disciplines including basketball, boxing and soccer. Last year's games were held i the Matabeleland North town of Hwange.
The Sports and Recreation Commission inaugurated the games in 2003 with the stated objective of identifying and developing sports talent among youths.
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