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Fairness Moyana recently in Victoria Falls
MATABELELAND North Province is set to unlock immense sporting talent through the construction of the multi-purpose Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, underway in Victoria Falls.
Based on the current pace of construction, Zimbabwe could begin hosting international cricket matches and other sporting events at the new stadium as early as September this year, according to officials.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) Chairman, Mr Tavengwa Mukuhlani provided an update during a tour of the construction site by officials from the Office of the President and Cabinet’s monitoring department last week.
Located within the Masuwe Special Economic Zone, the multi-purpose stadium is expected to boost sports tourism in the region and transform Victoria Falls into a hub for international sport. The project was officially launched by President Mnangagwa last year.
Mr Mukuhlani noted that while construction had encountered some delays due to difficult terrain, significant progress had been made.
“Because of the terrain of the land we’re working on, we spent a considerable amount of time making it workable,” he said. “Now, we’re focusing on ensuring the stadium is ready next year. But by around September or October, we’ll be able to play cricket on the ground.”
The stadium, being constructed on a 10-hectare site allocated by the Victoria Falls Council, will have a seating capacity of 10 000. It is designed to accommodate a variety of sports, including cricket, football, rugby, hockey, squash and tennis. The venue will also feature grass embankments to allow spectators to enjoy matches in a picnic-style setting.
Funded through grants from the International Cricket Council (ICC), the project is expected to cost between US$5 million and US$10 million.
Key infrastructure required for hosting international fixtures is nearing completion, including two media centres, which Mr Mukuhlani said are vital for broadcasting and match-day communications.
“Once these two blocks are completed, we can host international cricket here,” he said. “It’s deliberate, these two are critical for any international fixture because they house all the broadcasting equipment and personnel.”
The stadium will feature a professional playing field, practice nets, electronic scoreboards, grandstand, changing rooms, lounges, hospitality suites and a broadcast and media centre.
According to Mr Mukuhlani, the full facility, including corporate boxes and a three-star accommodation facility, is expected to be completed by October 2025. The goal is to have the stadium ready to host major events such as the 2026 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host with South Africa and Namibia.
“The three-star facility is part of the final phase of our programme. For now, the stadium is our main focus, and it’s progressing according to plan. Considering the weather conditions in Victoria Falls, we’ve done well to get grass cover over most of the field,” he added.
ZC Project Manager, Mr Blessing Scot, confirmed that civil works, including water supply and fencing, are already underway and progressing steadily.
“As part of our Priority One works, we are constructing four buildings and have prioritised ensuring a reliable water supply on-site. We drilled two boreholes and installed a 100 000-litre water reservoir earlier this year. We also engaged Zinwa and Zesa to ensure a sustainable supply of raw water, as the boreholes alone are insufficient to support irrigation and construction,” he said.
“The main facilities under construction are designed to position us to host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.”
Mr Scot said the development presents a valuable opportunity for the country and the region to benefit from international sport.
“At ZC, we believe this new stadium will allow Zimbabwe to fully leverage international sport to stimulate economic growth, tourism and diplomatic engagement while creating lasting legacies for the benefit of our communities,” he said.
“Matabeleland North has historically lagged behind in developing sporting talent. It’s rare to find international cricket players emerging from this region, which is why we’re also establishing an academy to nurture local talent.”
Once completed, the Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium is expected to be a game-changer for Zimbabwean sport, solidifying the country’s place on the international cricketing map and enhancing tourism in one of Africa’s top travel destinations.
The project, which has already employed over 120 people, is being executed in phases.
The first phase, 85 percent complete, includes the main playing field, grass embankments, VIP and players’ pavilions, and the media centre.
Bulk infrastructure, including raw water and electricity connections, is also progressing, with 90 percent of the work completed. So far, US$1,8 million has been invested in the project.
derick.khumalo