ZIFA VILLAGE FACELIFT EXPLODES INTO LIFE

Blessing Malinganiza

Zimpapers Sports Hub

ZIFA have started the rehabilitation of the ZIFA Village in Mt Hampden.

The project addresses two crucial parameters – accommodation challenges faced by national teams and financial sustainability.

The project is funded under the FIFA Forward Programme, which has been instrumental in supporting ZIFA’s initiatives.

According to the FIFA Forward manager Kudzai Chitima, the project’s rehabilitation is significant as it aligns with the country’s National Development Strategy (NDS1), prioritising infrastructure and utilities to capacitate athletes and provide modern, safe environments.

The rehabilitation project will be executed in two phases. Phase One will focus on refurbishing the existing boarding house to accommodate junior national teams, TDS select squads, and referees.

The technical centre will be transformed into a modern administration block and conference room.

Phase Two will involve the construction of artificial and natural turf pitches, as well as a standard technical centre, adhering to FIFA Technical Development centre guidelines.

The project is expected to take approximately 70 days to complete and a big step in enhancing football infrastructure in the country.

“The project kick off is really important because it addresses two important parameters: addressing the accommodation challenges faced by national teams and achieving financial sustainability,” said Chitima.

“The project augers well with the country’s National Development Strategy (NDS1), key priorities Infrastructure and utilities, which aims to capacitate athletes and safeguard them to become professionals in modern and safe environments.”

He added:

“Phase 1 will see the rehabilitation of the existing structures, including the boarding house, to accommodate our junior national teams, TDS select squads, and referees.

“The technical centre will be transformed into an administration block and conference room.

“Phase II will involve the construction of artificial and natural turf pitches, as well as a standard technical centre according to FIFA Technical Development centre guidelines.

“The project is expected to take approximately 70 days to complete and is funded by ZIFA under the FIFA Forward programme.”