Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
THE devolution of the country’s independence celebrations has seen the sport sector being one of the major beneficiaries, with stadia being built in different communities.
For decades, Zimbabwe’s Independence Day celebrations were a centralised affair, mostly held in Harare.
In recent years however, a quiet transformation has taken place.
Thanks to the government’s push for devolution, national celebrations are no longer confined to the capital, as they are now rotating across provinces and with them comes real, tangible investment in rural infrastructure.
One unexpected winner in this shift is the country’s sports sector.
In 2022, government officially began decentralising the hosting of National Independence celebrations, aligning with its constitutional mandate to promote equitable development.
What may have looked like a symbolic gesture has turned into a practical development tool, especially when it comes to sports.
In 2023, government renovated the once dusty Pfura Stadium in Mt Darwin, putting in a lush green lawn, changing rooms, water and other amenities needed for a sports field.
The stadium is now host to Northern Region Division One outfit, Agama United.
The same happened last year in Manicaland Province where government went even further to construct terraces at Murambinda B field, which is now home to Deportivo la Murambinda which competes in the Eastern Region Division One league.
Currently, work is being done in Gokwe North where another community stadium is getting a facelift.
These facilities are not just for one day, they become permanent homes for local clubs, schools, and community leagues.
More infrastructure means more access, especially in rural areas where sport is often an afterthought in budgets, hence a new stadium changes the equation.
Young athletes now have proper grounds to train, compete, and dream.
Local tournaments are no longer played on uneven, dusty fields but on manicured pitches.
There’s a cultural shift happening too, when rural communities host the nation’s biggest day, it brings a sense of inclusion and pride.
Youths in places like Lupane, Gwanda, or Chipinge are no longer spectators of national events, they are participants.
They see athletes perform live, often for the first time.
This year’s Uhuru celebrations are being held under the theme ‘Zim @45 Devolve and Develop Together Towards Vision 2030.’
