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Brandon Moyo
ZIMBABWE Cricket (ZC) is set to develop yet another ground in the country, this time in Mutare after securing land to develop a multi-purpose cricket facility in the high-density suburb of Dangamvura.
The news was announced by ZC on Tuesday evening, saying they had successfully applied for a piece of land in the Manicaland capital. ZC and the City of Mutare recently signed a lease agreement for the allocated plot measuring 19 hectares. The development will include a playing field, practice nets and spectator stands.
In a statement, ZC Managing Director,Givemore Makoni said the new project will help foster the growth and development of the game not only in Mutare but in the entire Manicaland province.
In 2026 and 2027, Zimbabwe is set to co-host the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup with Namibia and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup with South Africa and Namibia again respectively, and Makoni believes that the facility in Mutare will be considered for training or even as a host for some matches.
He said the fact that the facilities will remain standing even after the two global showpieces is a positive development for the game. He added that they aim to make sure that facilities in the country meet the minimum ICC requirements to host international events.
“Cricket thrives on a robust infrastructure that supports the development of talent from grassroots levels to professional leagues. We are therefore pleased and excited to have secured a piece of land for the purposes of developing a multi-purpose facility in Mutare that will spur the growth of the game in the city and in the Manicaland province as a whole.
ZC’s priority is to ensure we have in our country stadiums or facilities that meet the minimum standards set out by the International Cricket Council to host global events. But long after the World Cup tournaments are gone, these facilities will be available for use by local cricket clubs and schools and that will be fantastic for the future of our game,” said Makoni.
The news of the new multi-purpose facility in Mutare comes after the groundbreaking of a 10 000 seater in the resort town of Victoria Falls. The new Victoria Falls stadium will be constructed in the Masuwe Special Economic Zone and is set to welcome the two upcoming global events.
Apart from the Mutare and Victoria Falls projects, ZC is also set to develop a Cricket Academy in Esigodini. ZC chose the old Ncema Country Club in the rich gold mining and agriculture district to be the new centre of excellence in Matabeleland South. The new facilities are expected to take shape by year end. — @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter