THE African Union Sports Council Under-20 Youth Games torch lighting ceremony will be held on Thursday, Sports, Arts and Culture minister Andrew Langa has confirmed.

THANDIWE MOYO

He said the ceremony would be held at State House. “On Thursday, His Excellency President Robert Mugabe will light the games torch at State House,” he said.

On Saturday, the Games mascot Jumbo was paraded around the city to introduce him to the residents as he will visit all the games venues from December 5-14 when the games are held in Bulawayo. The elephant was chosen as a mascot as it is depicted in the City of Bulawayo’s coat of arms.

The roadshow to introduce Jumbo to Bulawayo residents started off at Hotel St Patricks through Tredgold Building along Leopold Takawira Avenue to the City Hall car park and TM Hyper, before proceeding to the western suburbs.

The convoy of vehicles passed through Makokoba, Mzilikazi, Njube, Mpopoma, Number Six Nkulumane Complex, Nkulumane, Bellevue and back to the City Hall.

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Countries expected to take part in the Games include the hosts Zimbabwe, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Seychelles, Swaziland and Zambia.

They will compete in basketball, judo, football, netball, swimming, athletics, boxing and tennis.