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Leonard Ncube in VICTORIA FALLS
CONSTRUCTION of the 10 000-seater cricket stadium in Victoria Falls is an opportunity to develop grassroots sport and come up with future cricket stars in Victoria Falls and Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said yesterday.
He was speaking during a ceremony presided over by President Mnangagwa to lay the stone to mark the commencement of construction of Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium at the Masuwe Special Economic Zone.
Last year ZC were allocated 10 hectares of land on Masuwe state land, to construct an international stadium and ancillary facilities, which will promote sports tourism and cement Victoria Falls as a world destination of choice.
ZC partnered with Mosi-oa-Tunya Development Company (Pvt) Ltd, a State enterprise set up by the Government as an investment vehicle for the development of tourism in Victoria Falls.
The company owns 274,1 hectares of prime land in Jafuta Masuwe Estate, which is part of the Integrated Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone.
ZC has become the pacesetter on the mega project which is set to become a game-changer in Zimbabwe’s tourism industry and intends to invest between US$5 million and US$10 million, mainly from grants from the International Cricket Council.
The stadium will be used in the hosting of the 2026 and 2027 Cricket World Cup jointly with Namibia and South Africa.
Mukuhlani said cricket had become a national obsession, passion, and source of employment for many.
He said ZC strategy provided a clear direction for planning for the development of community facilities and had identified key priority facilities in each province with a focus being constructing new stadia and improving and expanding the capacity of existing facilities.
“Zimbabwe Cricket, with the help of Government, did bid for two World Cups – the Under-19 World Cup in 2026 and the Men’s Main World Cup in 2027 and won both.
“Nothing comes bigger than those two events. Our priority now is to ensure that we have enough suitable stadia to host events of such magnitude.
“One of those challenges is to ensure facilities are meeting the needs of users and are responding to the way cricket and community sport is being consumed.
“With more players and a range of cricket formats recently being introduced, the demand on cricket facilities and infrastructure is greater than ever.
“The beginning of our work on this eco-friendly project that includes the construction of a playing field, practice nets, scoreboards, media centre, change rooms, hospitality boxes, grandstand and other spectator areas”.
To be formally known as the Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, this is a unique facility that will fit into the surrounding environment as it will blend and connect with the context of the resort city.
“The 10 000-seater multi-purpose facility has been earmarked as one of the main venues for the ICC events.
“There will be a lasting legacy and a good story to tell after the ICC World Cup events.
“Long after the ICC World Cup is gone, the real lasting legacy will not just be a new stadium and training facilities but a rise in the next generation of Zimbabwe cricketers.
“We want to see clubs, schools, and provincial cricketing thriving. We want to see Victoria Falls and surrounding areas producing future international cricket stars. This is not just wishful thinking, we have a solid plan to make sure this becomes a reality,” said Mukuhlani.
He said investments of this nature are only possible through partnerships with various stakeholders including Government.
ZC was fortunate to partner with the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
Mukuhlani said ZC earmarks to develop other facilities in Gwanda, Esigodini Gweru, and Mutare with the ultimate objective to grow the game to make it a sport for all.
Online Reporter