By Evans Dakwa
President Emmerson Mnangagwa laid the foundation stone for the state-of-the-art Zimbabwe Cricket Stadium in Victoria Falls this afternoon, marking a significant milestone as the country prepares to co-host the 2027 Cricket World Cup with South Africa and Namibia.
The President praised the development for aligning with the Second Republic’s infrastructure improvement and devolution agenda, bringing international cricket to Matabeleland North province. He commended the government ministries and local authorities for their unity of purpose and teamwork, challenging other local authorities to ensure seamless administration and effective local governance. This, he emphasized,” would attract private sector players, investments, and capital to their respective localities.”
In his address, President Mnangagwa highlighted the stadium’s importance in boosting tourism, a key contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The construction of this international cricket stadium and associated facilities under the Sports Tourism Cluster will drive the development of new tourism products and facilities, leapfrogging the attainment of a US$5 billion tourism sector economy by 2025.”
He added that the project would generate foreign exchange revenue, facilitate technological and skills transfer, create employment opportunities, and propel economic growth through various downstream and upstream linkages.
The President urged the tourism and sports industry to leverage the diverse functions and scope of Special Economic Zones, particularly in Victoria Falls, which already has a thriving tourism and hospitality ecosystem.
“As the tourism and sports industry, you have a critical responsibility to develop linkages and integrate the envisaged facility with short, medium, and long-term developments in the Masuwe Special Economic Zone and broader economic activities.”