Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga and Tawanda Munthali
Zimpapers Sports Hub
A NEW era to drive the modernisation of sport infrastructure and boost sport tourism is dawning for Zimbabwe and it has charmed the Sports and Recreation Commission.
Powered by Harare property developer West Properties, the modernisation is taking shape at the Hills Luxury Golf Course, where the company is looking to build a world-class swimming and tennis complex.
Yesterday, West Properties chief executive Ken Sharpe took acting Sports Commission director-general Peter Mudzimiri and his officials on a site tour of the proposed complex, being built on the iconic Warren Hills.
Mudzimiri hailed private sector participation in development of world-class sporting facilities and underscored the Commission’s commitment to ensuring availability of sporting and recreation facilities across the country.
He said the SRC would continue to lobby key stakeholders for the strengthening of partnership opportunities while also making recommendations to government on the possibilities of such collaborations and their impact on communities and sport in the country.
The planned complex is being viewed as a major investment in Zimbabwean sport, with the potential to raise standards in swimming and tennis by giving local athletes access to facilities that meet international benchmarks.
“If you look at National Development Strategy 2, we talk of standardisation of sporting infrastructure, quality and accessibility, so the developments taking place here are of international standards.
“They dovetail with issues to do with sports tourism as we will be able to attract other countries to come and play here, thereby improving our brand as Zimbabwe,” said Mudzimiri.
Sharpe revealed that his company had appointed top Zimbabwe players Benjamin and Courtney Lock as ambassadors on the tennis project in which they are looking to construct a centre court that can host some ATP matches.
It is against this background that the SRC are pleased that the project could also improve Zimbabwe’s chances of hosting regional and international tournaments, while creating a platform for greater private sector involvement in sports development.
Sharpe said the broader vision was to create a sporting destination capable of attracting elite competition to Zimbabwe.
“The golf course itself is a USGA championship spec course which has cost more than US$15 million, and we did so to create an environment that can attract PGA type players. It will be only the second golf course on the continent of that standard after Fancourt in South Africa, and we saw it fit to give them a chance to come and play the game here in Zimbabwe,” said Sharpe.
The visit underlined growing momentum behind efforts to modernise the country’s sporting infrastructure, with both SRC and West Properties viewing the initiative as a long-term investment in the future of Zimbabwean sport.
Mudzimiri said Government was keen on improving and developing sporting facilities in the country.
“This is a testament to what the private sector is doing in improving our sporting infrastructure. As the SRC, we will engage our principals so that we can collaborate, as we have been told about the need for a holistic approach.
“We hope to bring in other ministries so as to build a sporting ecosystem, but above all we are impressed with the developments that are going on here,” he said.
Beyond improving competition venues, the proposed development is also expected to contribute to talent identification, youth development and economic activity through sports tourism.
Sharpe spoke about the excitement they had already generated in the tennis fraternity.
“There is a lot of excitement starting with tennis, as we have signed the Lock brothers as our brand ambassadors.
“We hope to set up an academy within the facility and, with the assurance that we have received, there is hope that we will finish constructing the centre court next year with the aim of hosting international competitions such as the ATP,” he added.
If completed, the project could mark a new chapter in Zimbabwe’s drive to develop sustainable, world-class sporting facilities.
