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SPORT, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa is set to engage local authorities and the communities to resuscitate the run-down sports facilities around the country. Langa said his ministry was worried by the state of the facilities, some of which are now white elephants, while others are being used for purposes other than nurturing and developing sporting talent.
The facilities, built at community halls and open spaces in the cities and towns to provide the platform for young talents, have deteriorated due to years of neglect.
Langa said it was disturbing that football pitches, swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts and volleyball courts have been left to ruin to the detriment of grassroots development.
“The facilities are run down especially in our big cities and small towns as well. I am told some of them are being used now as potato plantations, some of them as churches and some of them are being used for various illegal things that you can think of.
“I want to say that also is a concern for my ministry. That’s the reason we visited the Chitungwiza Aquatic Centre recently, we also visited Rufaro and Gwanzura Stadiums.
“The purpose of the visit was to see what we can do as government to ensure that we maintain these sporting facilities.
“The sporting facilities are a tripartite arrangement between my ministry, the ministry of local government because most of these facilities are owned by the councils, and also the communities themselves.
“We are still to meet the ministry of local government to see how best we can work on our facilities because I agree they are run down most of them are no longer used for the purposes they were built for.
“I, however, want to implore on our sport loving people in this country to come on board with us and ensure that we revive our sporting facilities,” said Langa. The minister said the business community also has a big role to play in preserving the amenities.
Sport has become one of the largest employers in the world but Zimbabweans have not managed to realise the potential due to lack of investment in the industry.
Langa said people should change their mindset and take sport seriously.
“Last week I had the pleasure of officiating at the Heath Streak Academy, which is a multi-disciplinary academy in Bulawayo, constructed by the business community and Heath himself being at the forefront.
“Therefore, for us to ensure that our facilities are back to what they were before there is need for my ministry, the ministry of local government together with their local authorities and also all of us as Zimbabweans in communities to sit down and ensure that we resuscitate our facilities.
“The reason why most of these facilities have been run down is that our people view sport as a pastime and entertainment which I believe is not correct.
“Sport, in line with our Zim-Asset, should also create employment for our young people. We need to change our mindset. If it does not create employment, then no-one will take it or the facilities seriously,” said Langa.
Online Reporter