By George Swarei
President Emmerson Mnangagwa unveiling the Zimbabwe Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls flanked by the two Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi accompanied by Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Management Barbra Rwodzi, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education Professor Amon Murwira and Minister of Sports and Culture Kirsty Coventry Pic Credit InfoMinZW
President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, alongside various dignitaries and officials, marked a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s sports and tourism development with the laying of the foundation stone for the Zimbabwe Cricket Stadium in the Masuwe Special Economic Zone for Tourism, Victoria Falls.
The event, graced by high-ranking government officials including Vice Presidents, Ministers, and Traditional Leaders, symbolized the nation’s commitment to expanding its tourism offerings and fostering sports tourism.
In his address, President Mnangagwa highlighted the project’s alignment with his administration’s broader agenda, particularly emphasizing the importance of sports tourism in bolstering the economy and promoting national development. He commended the collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, the Ministry of Sports, Arts, and Recreation, and Zimbabwe Cricket in spearheading the initiative.
The foundation stone for the Mosi-oa-tunya International Cricket stadium Pic Credit InfoMinZW
The construction of the cricket stadium not only signifies progress in infrastructure development but also reflects Zimbabwe’s readiness to co-host the 2027 Cricket World Cup, a prestigious event that will showcase the country’s capabilities on the global stage.
Furthermore, the President underscored the project’s role in advancing the devolution agenda, ensuring equitable development across regions, and empowering local communities through job creation and skills development opportunities.
The Zimbabwe Cricket Stadium is envisioned as a catalyst for enhancing the tourism landscape of Victoria Falls, contributing to the city’s competitiveness in both domestic and international tourism markets. Its construction aligns with the government’s broader strategy to diversify and strengthen the tourism sector, aiming to achieve a US$5 billion tourism economy by 2025.
President Mnangagwa urged stakeholders to uphold the principles of collaboration and efficiency in delivering the project, emphasizing the need for timely completion to maximize its socio-economic benefits. He also encouraged the private sector to seize investment opportunities within the Masuwe Special Economic Zone, fostering innovation, and driving economic growth.
He expressed confidence in the successful implementation of the project and reiterated his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.
The laying of the foundation stone for the Zimbabwe Cricket Stadium marks a significant step forward in Zimbabwe’s journey towards harnessing the potential of sports tourism and bolstering its position as a premier tourist destination in the region.
