Online Reporter
George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
THE Government has pledged to continue upgrading sporting infrastructure countrywide to promote sports tourism in line with the national drive to make Zimbabwe an upper middle-income economy.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi and Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Lieutenant General (Rtd) Anselem Sanyatwe on Friday said the Second Republic is committed to developing world-class sports infrastructure as Zimbabwe eyes upper middle-income society status by the year 2030.
The two Cabinet ministers were speaking at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo at the closing ceremony of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe Sports Tourism Carnival.
The carnival started on Monday, and the curtain came down after 15 teachers’ colleges, polytechnics and universities slugged it out in various disciplines such as netball, soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, among others.
The carnival was a precursor to next week’s 19th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe Tourism Carnival that kicks off on September 9 and ends on September 12 at Gymkhana Grounds in the ancient city.
Minister Rwodzi, in her address, highlighted the importance of sports tourism and revealed that the Sports Tourism Carnival will now be an annual event.
“This (Sports Tourism Carnival in Masvingo) was a pilot project, and I am impressed with its resounding success, so from next year, Masvingo will now be hosting this carnival, and it can only become bigger and better and help in the development of our tourism through sport.”
Minister Rwodzi hailed the whole-of-government approach for enabling close collaboration between her ministry and the Ministry of Sports to engender development in line with Vision 2030.
“We want Mucheke Stadium to be revamped and expanded into a world-class facility with modern restaurants to promote tourism growth,” said Minister Rwodzi.
Lt Gen (Retd) Sanyatwe also weighed in, saying sport is a key component of Vision 2030.
The Sports Minister promised to make sure that the requisite world-class infrastructure is in place to identify and mould sporting talent in the spirit of leaving no one and no place behind.
