The Minister of Youth Sport and Culture, Shaw Kgathi, conducted a tour of the magnificent Gaborone Multipurpose Youth Center to appreciate progress on construction.
In an interview with Sunday Standard, Kgathi said the project is on time and the constructors are doing an amazing job.
The purpose of the center is to provide training, counseling, recreational and leisure facilities for the young people of Botswana.
Sitting on 8 hectares of land, the center consists of swimming pool, soccer field, basketball court, skating court, outdoor opera and a diving pool.
The project started on 8 October 2009 and will be complete as projected in July 2011.
Kgathi said that the project is a Government initiative emanating from its objective of youth development in the country. He added that young people are a priority to the government as government has spent billions of pula on youth development.
“We believe they are a useful resource for any nation,” he said.
Kgathi said “this initiative has been done in collaboration with the Chinese government, investing P70 million as part of their contribution”, a stance China has taken in promoting economic development of Botswana.
He noted that once the project is completed, it will bring all young people of different skills, sports, swimming, and soccer together.
“This will become the focal point for young people to come and chill out and learn,” he said.
Kgathi added that, funds permitting, this will be the ideal plan to be replicated across the country for young people to have fun and learn.
He said that young people of Botswana have a great opportunity given the opportunities presented to them by the government. He urged them to seize the opportunity and develop their skills.
The minister said the modalities on how the facility will be operated will be worked out as soon as the project is completed.
