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GOVERNMENT has been urged to increase financial support for the national rugby and cricket teams ahead of their upcoming international World Cup assignments, with Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport chairperson Farai Jere proposing a combined allocation of US$3,5 million to support the country’s participation.
The proposed funding is aimed at ensuring that the national rugby team, the Sables, receive adequate financial backing for their historic World Cup appearance in Australia next year, while the national cricket team is also adequately resourced for its international commitments.
Speaking during the ongoing 2027 National Budget Pre-Budget Seminar in Bulawayo on Friday, Jere said the Sables’ qualification for the global tournament was a significant national achievement that deserved Government recognition through direct fiscal support.
He proposed an allocation of US$1 million towards the rugby team’s preparations and participation, alongside US$400 000 to facilitate the travel of Parliament’s committee chairpersons to Australia.
“The qualifivation of the National rugby Team to Australia is an important achievement to this country and which needs to be celebrated and supported by the fiscus.
“So I would like to recommend if we can allocate one million for the rugby team, plus US$400 000 for the members of parliament to accompany them.
“That is why we recommended that chairperson from all committees, travel with the national team to Australia next year.
“So that will be roughly US$400 000
” I do not think that is a lot of money.”
MP Jere said the proposed parliamentary delegation would provide an opportunity for legislators to demonstrate national support for the team as it represents Zimbabwe on the global stage.
He also appealed for continued financial backing for the national cricket team, drawing parallels with previous Government support extended to the country’s sporting representatives.
The proposed US$1 million allocation would help promote inclusiveness in sport and ensure that national teams are not constrained by financial limitations when representing the country.
“I was also appealing to the Minister of Finance if we can allocate a million dollars like what we did last year with
our national cricket team when they qualified for Africa Cup of Nations, that will actually promote the
inclusiveness,” he said.
MP Jere further called for another US$1 million allocation towards the upcoming international event to be co-hosted, involving the national team in June and July next year.
“I would also want to appeal to the upcoming event which is going to be co-hosted, the national team will be participating next year June July in kenya, if they can also be
allocated a million dollars like we did last year which actually comes up to around US$ 3.5 million outside what we are requesting.”
His proposals place sports financing among the issues requiring attention in the 2027 National Budget, particularly as Zimbabwe seeks to strengthen its presence in international competitions.
The Sables’ qualification for the Rugby World Cup is a major milestone for Zimbabwean rugby, providing an opportunity to raise the country’s sporting profile, inspire participation at grassroots level and stimulate wider interest in the game.
Adequate preparation funding will be critical in enabling the team to compete effectively, while also meeting logistical, technical and player welfare requirements associated with participation at the highest level.
For cricket, sustained financial support is equally important in strengthening the national team’s competitiveness and ensuring that the country maximises opportunities presented by major international tournaments.
MP Jere’s appeal comes as Government works on expenditure priorities for the coming financial year, with competing demands across key sectors placing pressure on available resources.
