Youth Games preparations pick pace

Mosarwa Othusitse | Tuesday January 7, 2014 15:36

 

The games chief executive officer, Tuelo Serufho said the preparations gained momentum in December when they hosted the participating countries’ Chef de Missions for a familiarisation workshop.

The workshop was meant to update countries about preparations as well as for them to view the facilities. Serufho said the feedback that they got from the workshop was generally positive although there were areas where delegates felt the country could do better.

Attendants were, among other things, impressed with the facilities that are going to be used for the games. Serufho told Mmegi Sport that affiliates also appreciated the fact that most managers of the games were women and generally young people.

The only thing that delegates had a problem with, according to Serufho, was accommodation. The delegates were accommodated at the University of Botswana (UB). Serufho said they were currently working on the basis of the feedback that they got to determine where they could improve.

He emphasised the urgent need to address the accommodation issue. He said the games were a great opportunity for UB as the accommodation provider to create a lasting impression on young athletes who may wish to study here in future. Billboards advertising the games are expected to be erected by the end of next week. Serufho appealed for financial help from companies and individuals for the games to be a success.

He thanked Botswana ambassadors to different countries who have been supportive by soliciting help for the games in the countries that they stayed in.

The games will be hosted from May 22 to 31 and so far 53 countries have confirmed participation. Only South Sudan has not signed for participation because the country does not have a National Olympic Committee that is responsible for signing.

Serufho said the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) was currently working with the country to see how they could help.