Online Reporter
Obey Musiwa
Herald Reporter
Harare mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume has outlined a blueprint aimed at boosting sports infrastructure and talent development in the city.
He was speaking during a media briefing in Harare on Monday. Clr Mafume said the city was planning to allocate a dedicated budget for sports development while enhancing its facilities to international standards.
“We received a directive from the Government that 7 percent of our budget must go to sports, and we are going to do exactly that,” he said.
“Zimbabweans have made a significant impact in regional sports, particularly in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL), where they are represented in almost every team both in playing and coaching capacities.
“It is council’s responsibility to nurture and support these talents, recognising the wealth of potential that exists within the nation.”
Clr Mafume said they have over 13 swimming pools in the city, two of them – Les Brown and Mufakose swimming pools – are Olympic size.
“We need to bring them up to date, develop an athletics track apart from the National Sports Stadium, which is not in use.”
Clr Mafume said the city was inviting stakeholders from various sectors to focus on improving sports facilities in Harare and nationwide.
“We are partnering with stakeholders to upgrade sports facilities in Harare and the whole country at large, and have already established partnerships with football teams like Scotland as well as with other organisations,” he said.
“We are going to be in partnership with ZIFA and they are going to build a big stadium at High Glen, over 40 hectares.”
Clr Mafume said he discussed FIFA funding for football fields with ZIFA president, Mr Nqobile Magwizi.
He said the city will provide grounds for the project and potential partners.
“I was speaking to the ZIFA president yesterday (Sunday) during the Scotland vs Caps United soccer match, and they assured me that ZIFA has received funding from FIFA to build football fields in every suburb of Harare and across the country, aiming to encourage children to play soccer.
“As a city, we will ensure that we make grounds available to ZIFA and to any organisation that wishes to partner us to develop these grounds.”
