Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture chairperson, Farai Jere, has described the visit by an Eswatini parliamentary delegation as a historic milestone, strengthening ties between the two countries in the sector.
Jere said the exchange demonstrated the growing role of parliamentary diplomacy in advancing sport and would help both countries share knowledge and strengthen sporting institutions.
“This is a historic visit that opens a new chapter in cooperation between the Parliaments of Zimbabwe and the Kingdom of Eswatini. Through this engagement, we are strengthening our partnership in sport, youth development, and football governance while learning from each other’s experiences for the benefit of our nations,” said Jere.
Zimbabwe and Eswatini have pledged to deepen cooperation between their parliamentary committees.
The Eswatini delegation was led by Hon. Nathi Nsizwa Hlophe, head of the Eswatini Parliament’s Committee on Sport, Culture and Youth Affairs.
“We noticed that a lot of our players are going to Zimbabwe, so Zimbabwe could be doing something very well in attracting our players.
“Previously, we were getting coaches and players from Zimbabwe, but now things are changing, so we wanted to follow the lead and understand what Zimbabwe is doing well,” he said.
During the visit, the delegation held discussions with Zimbabwe’s Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, led by Jere, where the two sides exchanged views on football governance and the role of Parliament in developing the sport.
Hlophe said Zimbabwe’s Parliament had taken important steps in recent years to address challenges affecting football administration, an approach Eswatini now hopes to emulate.
“You will recall that a couple of years ago, Zimbabwe’s Parliament took the initiative of correcting the wrongs in football. We have taken that route as the Kingdom of Eswatini because we want to see how we can improve the game,” he said.
The delegation also attended a Castle Lager Premier League match between Ngezi Platinum Stars and Herentals at Baobab Stadium.
“As a football person, I could see the quality, the recruitment, and the structures that are in place. The application was impressive,” he said.
Hlophe expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by Zimbabwe’s Parliament and said the visit had laid the foundation for long-term institutional cooperation between the two legislatures.
“We are so grateful to the Zimbabweans for the hospitality that we got.
“We are expecting the Parliament team to visit the Kingdom of Eswatini, probably next month. We are looking forward to that. We have established relations that are not going to end anytime soon,” he said.
