Sports minister Kirsty Coventry has called for increased funding for sport, recreation, arts and culture, saying that these sectors can play a significant role in national development.
Coventry said this while making submissions at the ongoing pre-budget seminar after legislators inquired about the country’s stadium crisis, which will see the senior men's national football team host Nigeria in Rwanda for the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier.
“My submission to this august House is that there be dedicated funding towards infrastructure development and refurbishment of sport, recreation, and arts and culture facilities. This will enable sport, recreation, arts and culture sectors to participate significantly in matters of national development.”
“In addition, upgraded infrastructure for sport, recreation and the CCI sector will occupy young people meaningfully and aid in reducing drug and substance abuse, violence and loss of productivity.
“This is over and above the attainment of improved sport and creative performances and poverty reduction in communities,” Coventry said.
She added: “It is proposed that, should resources permit, additional funding be provided to these sectors either in the form of concessionary loans and or grants.
“It’s now time the nation should embark on or seriously consider significant investment in sport, recreation, arts and culture for sustainable national development, pride, peace and security."
Buhera West legislator Tafadzwa Mugwadi expressed concern that the national team was hosting matches in other countries. "It’s not good to have our national teams to go and play in other countries because we do not have adequate sporting facilities,” he said.
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Coventry has been on record countless times promising to prioritise refurbishment of sporting facilities, but very little has been done thus far.
The national soccer team last played at home in 2020.
