SPORT, Recreation, Arts and Culture minister Anselem Sanyatwe took some time to tour the Zifa-approved football facility, The Heart Stadium, which is housed at cleric Walter Magaya’s Yadah Hotel in Waterfalls, Harare, yesterday.
Sanyatwe was accompanied by his permanent secretary Nicholas Moyo, deputy chief secretary for social services sector Paul Damasani, sports acting director Ignatius Vambe, Sports and Recreation Commission director-general Elta Nengomasha and Zifa president Nqobile Magwizi.
The former Zimbabwe National Army commander was assigned to the Sports ministry in March as a replacement for Kirsty Coventry, who was elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that same month.
About two weeks ago, Sanyatwe toured the National Sports Stadium, which is undergoing renovations in order for it to meet international standards.
Magaya was ecstatic about the visit by the minister.
“They came specifically to view The Heart Stadium, which we always cite as a prototype of what may be needed in terms of stadium development in the nation, though on a larger scale wherever the project is replicated,” he said in a statement yesterday.
“We also discussed White City Stadium as an opportunity for renovation and upgrade, including the installation of a tartan track and transforming it into a state-of-the-art facility.
“We then highlighted to him our vision for five-a-side football, beach soccer and volleyball at The Farm Resort. He [Sanyatwe] is quite excited to visit those facilities as construction takes its first leap.”
- Subdued trade worries Zimbabwe, Tanzania
- Sakunda awards hefty bonus to Bosso players, staff
- Feature: Zim firms target Tanzanian market in outreach
- Zanu PF official’s sentence quashed
Keep Reading
The visit comes at a time when the country’s national football teams are having to play international matches in foreign lands owing to a lack of approved stadiums.
Magaya has been spearheading a number of initiatives to construct and renovate some of the country’s football facilities.
He is also part of the Chahwanda Stadium project in Kwekwe, which is expected to meet international standards when complete.
“A government and its people are like the left hand and the right hand,” Sanyatwe was quoted as saying following the visit to The Heart Stadium.
“The left hand supports what the right hand is upholding when it is something special for the nation.
“If it is within the borders and airspace of the country, it automatically becomes a Zimbabwean asset.”
