ZIM PRIVILEGED TO HOST ICC T20 QUALIFIER

Mehluli Sibanda in BULAWAYO
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa says the country is privileged to host the International Cricket Council Twenty20 World Cup Qualifier B, which gets underway in Bulawayo today.

Eight countries will clash at Queens Sports Club and Bulawayo Athletic Club from this morning, with a champion being crowned at the end of the tournament on Sunday.

Zimbabwe have been joined in the tournament by Jersey, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, United States of America and Uganda in the tournament where two slots are up for grabs for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held in Australia later this year.

Addressing all participating teams and guests at the official opening of the tournament at Queens Sports Club yesterday, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe was blessed to be the venue of an event of such international importance.

“As Zimbabwe, we count it a privilege to be hosting a tournament of such magnitude and global significance right here in the City of Bulawayo, which is our second largest city in the country.

“We are greatly humbled that the International Cricket Council has once again afforded us the opportunity to host such an important event,” President Mnangagwa said.

It is the fifth ICC tournament that the country is hosting in six years, with the biggest being the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018.

The President said this shows the confidence the ICC has in the country’s favourable atmosphere, which allows for the effective hosting of such events.

“To this end, I want to commend the leadership of ZC (Zimbabwe Cricket) and other sporting stakeholders and partners, both local and international, who have supported our journey as a cricket playing nation, even during difficult years.

“The fact that eight teams participating at this tournament, Hong Kong, Jersey, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Uganda, the United States of America and, of course, Zimbabwe, are drawn from the different continents is set to add diversity and jamboree atmosphere to this sporting duel.

“It is also an example of the role sport plays in uniting people from diverse backgrounds as well as the ability to speak to us all in a language we all understand.

“You speak different languages where you are, but you all understand cricket language. “Although the stakes are extremely high, with the winners set to take up the two remaining places at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 to be staged in Australia later this year, I trust that you will all enjoy the event and exhibit fair play and the great sportsmanship which cricket is renowned for.

“As you will discover in the next few days, ours is a country where cricket is more than a game, but an enduring fashion among our youth and adult fans alike,” he said.

When Zimbabwe hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018, thousands of fans packed Queens Sports Club and Harare Sports Club to support the Chevrons.

Based on that experience, the President assured the participating teams of a festival atmosphere during this tournament.

“Some may recall that the last time our nation had the privilege of hosting a tournament of this magnitude, thousands of fans packed our stadia singing and dancing, chanting and clapping, undeterred even when it rained. Based on that background, you are all assured very lively spectators in our carnival atmosphere that is uniquely Zimbabwean.”

President Mnangagwa also indicated that his administration was crafting a policy to encourage the all-encompassing involvement of all formerly sidelined communities to ensure local sportspersons are afforded an enabling environment to prosper.

“The Government of Zimbabwe is committed to providing an environment which allows sportspersons from various disciplines to grow and realise their full potential.

“In doing so, we are determined to leave no one and no place behind in our communities. Presently, my administration is formulating the Sport and Recreation Policy, which seeks to promote the inclusive participation of previously marginalised communities in our country.

“This is aimed at remodelling our sporting sector into an inclusive and viable industry.”

He expressed hope that the ICC will in future further strengthen relations with ZC in the form of wide-ranging collaborations and provisions.

“Going forward, I hope that the ICC will strengthen its cooperation with Zimbabwe Cricket through broader synergies and support.

“The hosting of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B 2022 is indeed a show of confidence and support in the strides Zimbabwe is making towards the development of cricket, not only in our country, but on the African continent as a whole.

“Let me take this opportunity to express my appreciation for Zimbabwe’s nomination to host the ICC Men’s World Cup 2027 alongside our neighbours South Africa and Namibia.

“As a Government, we stand kitted out, pads, gloves and helmets on to play our part towards the success of that event in 2027,” said the President.

Among guests that attended yesterday’s official opening ceremony were Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Kirsty Coventry and her deputy Tino Machakaire, Defence, Security and War Veterans Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Raj Modi, Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet for Social Services Sector Paul Damasane, ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, ZC managing director Givemore Makoni and ICC tournament director Gurjit Singh.