Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
HWANGE Colliery Company Limited (HCCL) is emerging as a key player in the revival of sport in Matabeleland North, with the company’s investment in athletics being described as a “game changer” during a track and field event held at the Colliery Stadium on Saturday.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland North Province, Richard Moyo, praised the collaboration, noting that the event — staged in partnership with the Matabeleland North Athletics Board and Hwange Athletics Club — was more than just a competition.
“A team selected here today will go on to compete at national level, with the ultimate opportunity to represent Zimbabwe at the 2028 Olympics. This is where it all begins, at grassroots level, for the hopefuls gathered in Hwange,” he said.
HCCL has become one of the country’s most prominent corporate supporters of athletics this year. In April, the company sponsored the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe Junior and Inter-Provincial Championships. Two months later, it funded the Southern Region Senior Championships, covering kits, logistics, and medical support for national teams.
“This is clear testimony of a corporate organisation serious about sports development, and we are proud that it hails from Matabeleland North Province,” said Minister Moyo.
The company is also in talks with the Botswana Athletics Board to establish a partnership focused on talent identification and athlete development in Hwange and beyond.
“This cross-border collaboration will not only raise the standards of our athletics but also expose our athletes to international training methods and competitive environments,” he said.
Saturday’s championships ran under the theme “Curbing drug and substance abuse through sports development.” On Friday, HCCL pledged US$6 000 towards anti-drug campaigns during a fundraising event.
“Athletics is a powerful tool to promote health, discipline and youth development. We appreciate the efforts of HCCL’s mining contractors — Zhong Jiang Investments, Hwange Coal Unification Investments, Dinson Mega, ZZEE and Rockdrill — whose financial collaboration through the Sustainability Fund has made this event possible,” Minister Moyo said.
The Government has pledged continued support for HCCL’s sports drive, which now spans more than 14 disciplines. Upcoming events include the Kamandama Marathon in November, the Chamber of Mines Games next year, and the Chipangano Grassroots Trophy Challenge, which is still in the planning stages.
HCCL’s ambitions go even further. At the recent Matabeleland North Investment Conference, the company announced plans to establish a regional anti-doping testing centre and to upgrade Colliery Stadium into a high-performance venue capable of hosting provincial, national, and international competitions.
“With the zeal and determination of Hwange management and stakeholders, the once sleepy town is set to transform into a hub of sports tourism,” said Minister Moyo.
He urged other companies in the province to follow HCCL’s example before officially opening and later closing the championships.
The meet featured a full programme of athletics, from sprints and middle-distance races to field events such as javelin, shot put, and high jump, catering to both junior and senior athletes.
