Story by Tichaona Kurewa
ZIMBABWE’S sport tourism is soaring to new heights, with the latest milestone being the commissioning of the country’s first-ever skateboarding park in Victoria Falls this Saturday.
In line with the government’s commitment to “leave no one and no place behind,” Victoria Falls continues to attract investments in new sporting facilities, among them a multi-purpose cricket stadium and the newly launched Samkele Skatepark.
This development has thrilled local skateboarding enthusiasts, as the sport, once on the fringes, gains a firm foothold in Zimbabwe’s sporting landscape.
“We are so excited. This is something new and interesting for us, and it will motivate us to practice more. Skateboarding stars will be born here, and we will have more time to train in a real and inspiring environment. Many thanks to those who came up with this idea. It keeps us away from social ills such as drug and substance abuse,” a youth participant said.
The new skate park is also a game-changer for the tourism sector.
“This park will attract skateboarding tournaments to Victoria Falls. Visitors will also explore various tourist attractions and activities, which will bring revenue into the country. We hope this initiative will grow the sport’s popularity nationwide,” Trainer, Blessing Moyo noted.
The launch of the skate park aligns with National Development Strategy One (NDS1), which seeks to increase participation in sport and recreation from 15 percent in 2020 to 27 percent by the end of this year.
Although skateboarding is now an Olympic sport, its development in Zimbabwe has been slowed by the absence of a formal federation to manage and promote it.
