Andrew
Bulawayo Bureau
Hosting the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier B, which will be held in Bulawayo starting tomorrow, is an honour and must be used as an opportunity to market Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa has said.
Speaking on arrival at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport yesterday evening ahead of the official opening ceremony at Queens Sports Club today, the President said the country was “highly honoured” to host teams that will be taking part in the tournament.
There are only two slots for qualifying for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held in Australia later this year.
“There is a cricket World Cup qualifier here and there are teams competing against each other,” said the President, while addressing a crowd gathered to welcome him.
“Those that will conquer will then take to the Cricket World Cup.
“So Zimbabwe has been highly honoured to host all these countries.
“I am very happy to see you here.”
The President said he was glad to be in the city for the prestigious cricket event.
“I am grateful for your presence here today. I came here on the invitation of this young lady (Kirsty Coventry, Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation) for cricket.
“There is cricket and there are eight countries participating: the United States of America, Jersey, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Uganda, Netherlands, those are the countries that are around,” he added.
Minister Coventry said it was an exciting time in the history of sports that they were having the President gracing the event.
“It is the World Cup Qualifiers for the T20 and we are excited. The President has been so supportive of different sporting events. I think now that it was also announced that Zimbabwe will co-host the World Cup in 2027, he wanted to come and officially welcome all the teams that are here and he will be doing that tomorrow right before they start the games on Monday,” she said.
Minister Coventry said she was excited that the tournament was being hosted in Bulawayo.
“We are super-proud and excited to be here and we are excited that he has come again to support us in the sporting atmosphere. We are glad that cricket has come to Bulawayo, so that is really important and Zimbabwe Cricket has been doing a good job in ensuring that the different facilities are being looked after.”
President Mnangagwa was accompanied by Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri.
Present to also receive the President were Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Tino Machakaire, Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Judith Ncube and other Government officials.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu