Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
MASVINGO has strengthened its sporting infrastructure following the commissioning of a modern multi-purpose sports centre, a facility expected to expand access to recreation, nurture talent and promote healthier communities.
Built by Masvingo City Council, the complex features courts for basketball, volleyball, netball, tennis and other recreational activities, providing modern facilities for both competitive and community sport.
Residents welcomed the development, saying it would create opportunities for young athletes and improve access to quality training facilities.
“This is a proud moment for us as young people because we finally have quality sporting facilities in our city. We used to struggle to find proper places to train, which made it difficult to improve our skills. These courts will motivate many young people to take sport seriously and give us the confidence to compete at various levels,” a community resident said.
The facility has also been designed to accommodate athletes with disabilities.
“We are happy that the facilities commissioned today accommodate everyone, including people with disabilities. We can now do Paralympic games, wheelchair tennis and other sporting activities,” another resident said.
Masvingo Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa said the local authority developed the centre in response to government’s call for councils to invest in recreational infrastructure.
“We believe the sports facilities commissioned today are strategically located to be accessed by all community members. We are looking forward to them serving as a sports hub for Masvingo Province and the nation at large, used by both professional and amateur sportspeople to develop sporting talent,” he said.
Commissioning the facility, Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Lieutenant-General (Retired) Anselem Sanyatwe said investment in sporting infrastructure remains a key pillar of the national development agenda.
“As we continue implementing our national development agenda, investment in sports infrastructure remains an important pillar in promoting healthy, productive and resilient communities. This development demonstrates the positive impact of investing public resources in projects that directly benefit our people,” he said.
Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Ezra Chadzamira said the new facility supports government’s drive to expand access to quality sporting infrastructure nationwide.
“The user-friendly multi-purpose courts commissioned today are a direct result of the government’s policy to ensure that every province, city and community has access to standard infrastructure that develops talent, promotes inclusivity and creates opportunities, especially for young people. We believe this will help reduce drug and substance abuse as more people participate in sport and recreation,” he said.
Masvingo City Council is also refurbishing Mucheke Stadium to meet required standards and plans to establish swimming pools in high-density suburbs as government continues rolling out multi-purpose sports centres across the country
