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Don Makanyanga Sports Reporter
Zimbabwe Cricket are confident of building the new Victoria Falls Stadium in time for the facility to host some of the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.
There had been some concerns regarding the time-lines that the association has before Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa co-hosted the global cricket showcase.
ZC managing director Givemore Makoni, however, maintained that they are well equipped to build the Victoria Falls Stadium and upgrade the existing facilities, which include Harare Sports Club and Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo well on time.
President Mnangagwa is set to lay the foundation stone to mark the commencement of construction of the stadium.
Makoni said ZC would thereafter upscale the construction work.
“I am quite confident that we’ll be able to meet our targets and we should be able to have a stadium up and running for the World Cup in Victoria Falls.
“The exciting news is that the Government is playing ball in terms of support and everything that we need. So, I’m confident that we should be able to have the ground (Victoria Falls) up and running.
“Harare Sports Club is a matter of increasing capacity in terms of the playing field, all is in order and it’s an international standard. So, we should not have a problem there.
“At Queens, we are looking to put stadium lights and increase the seating capacity and all that, so that should also not be a problem.
“I can say that work has already started on several facilities to make sure that we increase capacity. I’m sure by 2027 or by 2026 we should be able to have all those facilities up and running,” said Makoni.
South Africa have already named eight stadiums that will be used during the 2027 World Cup.
Zimbabwe are not new to co-hosting the World Cup.
In 2003, the country co-hosted the World Cup with South Africa and Kenya.
Makoni is confident of another successful staging of the global event.
“I’m confident that we should be able to pull off the World Cup.
“This is not the first time Zimbabwe hosted the World Cup. We hosted the World Cup in 2003 and we did a damn good job and we have done enough events since then . . . more than six to seven events and we did a good job.
“I can say, confidently say that we are 50 percent ready in terms of our grounds, so we just need to take care of the other 50 percent, which I think is realistic in terms of the way we are looking at it,.
Makoni underscored the importance of the government’s partnership in the project.
“You cannot do that without the support of the Government.
“There are a lot of things that are done behind the scenes that need the government to help you.
“So, the Government plays a huge and pivotal role in any event, the association is on the forefront in bringing the event, but then for you to deliver the event, it’s difficult to do it without the support of the Government.
“And all these events that we’ve had in the past, we’ve had good support from the Government,” said Makoni.
Online Reporter