By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Lilongwe City Mayor Richard Banda has called on the citizens living in the city to practice hygiene and sanitation ahead of African Union Region 5 Youth Games in December.
Banda made the appeal on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Civic Offices in Lilongwe’s City Center when the African Union Region 5 Youth games Lilongwe 2022 Limited Company Local Organizing Committee unveiled 50 days count down to December 2nd.
He said,as City Council they are prepared to host the first ever major youth games tournament adding they will engage other stakeholders to make sure the city looks beautiful and that the Sanitation and Hygiene is observed.
“As Council we are working tirelessly to make sure that sanitation and hygiene is observed in our city,this will show how the wholeheartedly we have welcomed the games”,
“The delegates should feel home away from home when they come in the country, we want to show them we are the Warm Heart of Africa.Works are continuing in the Villages such as Nalikule Teachers College and in many villages where we are going to accommodate our visitors. Let me appeal to the citizenry living in the city to take responsibility of making sure the City looks smart and beautiful “,Said Banda.
In her remarks after the unveiling ceremony, Chief Executive Officer for Lilongwe 2022 Limited Region 5 Youth Games Emma Mabvumbe disclosed that the preparations for the tournament are going on very well.
She said,Malawi Government through Ministry of Youth and Sports and other stakeholders who were assigned to work towards the games have been supportive,saying they have been receiving the funding for the different projects in time”,
“We have been walking together with the Minister of Youth and Sports from the word go,inspecting facilities eye marked to host the games.Today as we unveil the 50 days count down,we are happy at the same time fever on us to quicken the remaining areas hence igniting the fire Kuyipatsa Moto”,
On how ready the two major facilities eye marked to host the games which are currently under construction, Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex and Kamuzu Institute for Sports Aquatic complex; Mabvumbe said they are working hard to have them complete by end of October saying on Griffin Saenda the major remaining thing is the roofing.
While at Aquatic complex what is remaining are the tiles and timing machine that helps recording time for the athletes.
She added they chose to engage the Mayor of the city as the tournament will be conducted in his area where he will be responsible to make sure security,Sanitation and hygiene are in order.
The games this year will be played under the theme IGNITING THE AFRICAN DREAM.
Malawi will be hosting the African Union Region 5 Youth Games from 2nd December to 11th,2022 and almost 2,500 delegates are anticipated to take part.
Before the main tournament in December, the country is expected to host Trial/mock games this month of October.
