Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IN a bold step towards reclaiming Zimbabwe’s Olympic glory, the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) has entered into a strategic partnership with leading financial powerhouse CBZ Holdings, a deal set to power the nation’s charge to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
The alliance, announced yesterday in Harare, aims to bolster Team Zimbabwe’s preparations and performances on the global stage, as the nation builds on the momentum of Paris 2024, where two athletes reached the finals.
ZOC president Thabani Gonye said the collaboration marked a pivotal turning point in Zimbabwe’s Olympic journey and signalled the beginning of targeted, science-backed investments in elite sport.
“This partnership with CBZ shows we share a common vision of what sport in Zimbabwe truly needs,” said Gonye.
“It’s a journey to restore Zimbabwe as a winning nation and to see our athletes back on the podium. We’re setting specific targets, milestones and activities that this partnership will unlock as we prepare for Los Angeles 2028.”
Reflecting on Zimbabwe’s showing in Paris, Gonye emphasised that 2028 must mark a step forward.
“People ask why we’re already focusing on Los Angeles. The answer is simple, Olympic success doesn’t happen overnight. We’ll look at how we performed in Paris and ask, where are we going next?
“For us, the answer is clear, we must be winning in 2028. That’s why we have specific projects already underway.”
Fresh from his re-election as ZOC president, Gonye, himself a former athlete, reiterated the importance of long-term investment in sports science to nurture elite talent.
“I believe it takes eight to ten years to develop an athlete capable of competing at the highest level. With this partnership, we also want to unlock the sporting potential across the country through modern sport science and high-performance development,” he said.
CBZ Holdings Group Chief Executive Officer Lawrence Nyazema pledged the financial institution’s full support in helping Zimbabwe assemble a competitive Olympic team.
“We want to ensure our athletes are fully prepared and resourced to compete on the biggest stage in 2028,” said Nyazema.
“We’ve seen it before with Kirsty Coventry, with the women’s hockey team. That talent is still out there, and through this partnership, we want to identify, support, and elevate it across the nation.”
