Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon Barbra Rwodzi
By Licious Mkuni
Victoria Falls is set to become an international hub for cricket as the government has started the construction of a 10,000-seater state-of-the-art cricket stadium in the resort town.
The stadium, to be named Masuwe Cricket Stadium, will be built by Zimbabwe Cricket, which has already been allocated ten hectares of land in the Masuwe Economic Zone for Tourism.
Expected to be ready for play by August 2025, the stadium will host the 2026 and 2027 Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Zimbabwe alongside South Africa and Namibia.
This announcement was made during a Cabinet briefing on Tuesday by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere.
His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa, whose vision has accelerated Zimbabwe’s development, is scheduled to lay the foundation stone, marking the beginning of construction.
File Photo: One of the Premier Cricket Stadium in the world
President Mnangagwa launched the National Tourism Recovery and Growth Strategy in August 2020 in Victoria Falls, thus enhancing efforts to increase international and local visitors to Zimbabwe.
The stadium’s strategic location will attract visitors who can enjoy cricket matches and visit numerous attractions in Victoria Falls. This location offers visitors multiple benefits, given Victoria Falls’ vast natural and man-made tourist attractions.
Tourists visiting Victoria Falls will have access to tours of the falls, steam-train safaris, bungee-jumping, rafting and kayaking, sunset boat cruises on the Zambezi River, canoeing, gorge swings or ziplines, elephant-back safaris, walks with lions, game drives, and helicopter rides over the waterfall.
Under the National Development Strategy 1 (2021-2025), tourism is highlighted as a key economic sector with high potential to contribute to national growth and development.
This stadium is expected to generate much-needed revenue and contribute significantly to the US$5 billion Tourism and Hospitality Industry goal by 2025.
Tourism is a major pillar of Zimbabwe’s economy, accounting for 12% of the Gross Domestic Product from January to September 2023.
“The construction of the cricket facilities and associated infrastructure will create training and employment opportunities for communities in Victoria Falls,” remarked Honourable Dr. Jenfan Muswere, Acting Minister of Sport, Arts, and Recreation.
The government has developed Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in parts of the country, including Bulawayo, Harare, and Victoria Falls, offering special investment incentives to these zones.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Hon. Babra Rwodzi indicated that Zimbabwe Cricket will construct the stadium and own the facility for the next 25 years.
The project aligns with United Nations Tourism ethos, promoting sustainable tourism and blending with the natural environment.
