Victoria Falls set to host national athletics competitions, boosting sports tourism

VICTORIA Falls will host this year’s National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) national athletics competitions where more than 1 000 athletes are expected next month, as the resort city continues to position itself as a sports tourism destination.

The Government is pursuing a revitalised tourism agenda under the National Tourism Growth and Recovery Strategy launched by President Mnangagwa in 2020 and the need to come up with new products and activities is top on the agenda.

Sports, religious, cultural, and gastronomy tourism are some of the new products being pursued.

As Matabeleland North hosts the 2024 Nash National Athletics Competition, Victoria Falls is the perfect venue.

The competitions to involve track and field events will be held from 19-22 March at Mosi-oa-Tunya High School.

The school has upgraded its sports ground to become arguably the best track field in the province with 10 lanes compared to others that have less than seven.

Hwange Colliery Stadium which has a better track has seven lanes making it below standard for competitive athletics while no other school in the province has a better track.

While Victoria Falls City has not developed sports facilities as has been the concern by residents, Mosi-oa-Tunya High School has over the years been slowly upgrading its sports ground and the facility now has standard tracks.

National head-in-charge of athletics Roland Sibanda who doubles as the host headmaster as he is the head of Mosi-oa-Tunya said preparations are well advanced with the school grounds almost 90 percent ready.

Over the years, Matabeleland North would host its athletics activities in Bulawayo at the National University of Science and Technology and this is the first time the province is hosting the event on its own land and Victoria Falls happens to be the venue.

“Matabeleland North is the host province and they selected Mosi-oa-Tunya. So preparations are on course and we have been preparing the grounds by hosting provincial events so that as a province we have one standard ground.

“We are almost 90 percent prepared as the track is now level and standard and all we need is to fill up where there is no gravel. Because of our climate, we cannot have lawns but we can use coal dust which we have sourced from a company in Hwange and what is left is to transport it from there. So we are almost there and coal dust easily absorbs water even if it rains towards the days while it will also be easy to mark with white paint,” said Sibanda.

He said Matabeleland North Nash, Hwange District Nash and Victoria Falls City Council had partnered to help with preparations.

Some of the activities will be track events, high jump, triple jump, long jump, discus, javelin, and shot put, among others.

“Our ground now has 10 lanes and is the only standard one in the province. The competition is over two days and we need such a ground that can allow events to happen smoothly. This is a national competition that will have scouts and athletes will also get an opportunity for selection to represent the country at international events like COSASSA in Lesotho so we need to maintain standards on the track and timing.

“The theme is around sports tourism and we wish Zimbabwean athletes get an opportunity to mix with others from across the country and even with tourists from elsewhere. We want athletes to come and experience tourism in Victoria Falls. It’s important that they explore leisure and sport,” he said.

Nash has asked provincial leadership to engage the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to seek a waiver or discount for athletes during the days of the competition to enter the Rainforest.

The event will be big business for tourism and hospitality, transport, and other informal businesses in the city.