MATABELELAND North Province
is set to unlock immense sporting talent through the construction of the
multi-purpose Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, underway in Victoria Falls.
Based on the current pace of construction, Zimbabwe could
begin hosting international cricket matches and other sporting events at the
new stadium as early as September this year, according to officials.
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) Chairman, Mr Tavengwa Mukuhlani
provided an update during a tour of the construction site by officials from the
Office of the President and Cabinet’s monitoring department last week.
Located within the Masuwe Special Economic Zone, the
multi-purpose stadium is expected to boost sports tourism in the region and
transform Victoria Falls into a hub for
international sport. The project was officially launched by President Mnangagwa
last year.
Mr Mukuhlani noted that while construction had encountered
some delays due to difficult terrain, significant progress had been made.
“Because of the terrain of the land we’re working on, we
spent a considerable amount of time making it workable,” he said. “Now, we’re
focusing on ensuring the stadium is ready next year. But by around September or
October, we’ll be able to play cricket on the ground.”
The stadium, being constructed on a 10-hectare site
allocated by the Victoria Falls Council, will have a seating capacity of 10
000. It is designed to accommodate a variety of sports, including cricket,
football, rugby, hockey, squash and tennis. The venue will also feature grass
embankments to allow spectators to enjoy matches in a picnic-style setting.
Funded through grants from the International Cricket Council
(ICC), the project is expected to cost between US$5 million and US$10 million.
Key infrastructure required for hosting international
fixtures is nearing completion, including two media centres, which Mr Mukuhlani
said are vital for broadcasting and match-day communications.
“Once these two blocks are completed, we can host
international cricket here,” he said. “It’s deliberate, these two are critical
for any international fixture because they house all the broadcasting equipment
and personnel.”
The stadium will feature a professional playing field, practice
nets, electronic scoreboards, grandstand, changing rooms, lounges, hospitality
suites and a broadcast and media centre.
According to Mr Mukuhlani, the full facility, including
corporate boxes and a three-star accommodation facility, is expected to be
completed by October 2025. The goal is to have the stadium ready to host major
events such as the 2026 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup and the 2027 ICC Men’s
Cricket World Cup, which Zimbabwe
will co-host with South Africa
and Namibia.
“The three-star facility is part of the final phase of our
programme. For now, the stadium is our main focus, and it’s progressing
according to plan. Considering the weather conditions in Victoria
Falls, we’ve done well to get grass cover over most of the field,”
he added.
ZC Project Manager, Mr Blessing Scot, confirmed that civil
works, including water supply and fencing, are already underway and progressing
steadily.
“As part of our Priority One works, we are constructing four
buildings and have prioritised ensuring a reliable water supply on-site. We
drilled two boreholes and installed a 100 000-litre water reservoir earlier
this year. We also engaged Zinwa and Zesa to ensure a sustainable supply of raw
water, as the boreholes alone are insufficient to support irrigation and
construction,” he said.
“The main facilities under construction are designed to
position us to host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.”
Mr Scot said the development presents a valuable opportunity for the country
and the region to benefit from international sport.
“At ZC, we believe this new stadium will allow Zimbabwe to
fully leverage international sport to stimulate economic growth, tourism and
diplomatic engagement while creating lasting legacies for the benefit of our
communities,” he said.
“Matabeleland North has historically lagged behind in
developing sporting talent. It’s rare to find international cricket players
emerging from this region, which is why we’re also establishing an academy to
nurture local talent.”
Once completed, the Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket
Stadium is expected to be a game-changer for Zimbabwean sport, solidifying the
country’s place on the international cricketing map and enhancing tourism in
one of Africa’s top travel destinations.
The project, which has already employed over 120 people, is
being executed in phases.
The first phase, 85 percent complete, includes the main playing field, grass
embankments, VIP and players’ pavilions, and the media centre.
Bulk infrastructure, including raw water and electricity
connections, is also progressing, with 90 percent of the work completed. So
far, US$1,8 million has been invested in the project.
Source: Multi-purpose stadium to unlock sporting talent in Matabeleland North (26/06/2025)
See Also
Read more on the Keep Victoria Falls website.
