Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
CRICKET faithfuls and the wider Bulawayo community will today get a rare close-up of the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup trophy when it makes its way through the City of Kings and Queens on a scheduled parade.
Zimbabwe is set to co-host the 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup with Namibia, with the tournament running from January 15 to February 6.
The trophy tour follows its official unveiling at a glittering ceremony in Harare a fortnight ago. Zimbabwe Cricket has since taken the trophy across the country, with the journey starting in Masvingo yesterday before arriving in Bulawayo today.
The tour gives fans and the general public a chance to see the ICC Under-19 World Cup trophy up close ahead of the global showpiece that Zimbabwe will co-host early next year.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, Local Organising Committee chairperson Vumi Moyo urged locals to come out in numbers for the tour, which gets underway at 10AM.
“The trophy tour is finally here in the City of Kings. Please, if you are in the city, come through to Zonkizizwe Shopping Centre at around 10AM, or you can also catch us at Sokusile Shopping Centre in the afternoon, around 2PM.
“We will be showcasing the ICC Men’s Under-19 trophy. There will be some dancing and entertainment. It will be fun, come in with your friends and you can have your pictures taken with the trophy. We hope to see everyone there,” said Moyo.
The tour will depart from Queens Sports Club at 10AM before heading for a trophy display at Zonkizizwe Shopping Centre via Robert Mugabe Way. From there, it will proceed to the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Statue along Robert Mugabe Way, turn into 9th Avenue, pass through Egodini and continue along 9th Avenue to Emakhandeni via Luveve Road.
Another trophy display will then take place at Sokusile Shopping Centre.
After Bulawayo, the tour moves on to Harare.
Former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu has been named tournament ambassador and will play a key role in inspiring young cricketers, drawing on his journey from a former Under-19 player to an international stalwart.
Matches in Zimbabwe will be staged at Harare Sports Club, Takashinga Cricket Club in Harare and Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, while Namibia will host matches in Windhoek.
All matches will be free to spectators.
derick.khumalo