ZIFA believe the nation is ready to bid and host future Caf competitions following what it describes as excellent hosting of the ongoing Cosafa Women Championship that kicked off in Bulawayo last week and is due to end on Sunday.

The regional tournament saw 12 countries coming to Zimbabwe and have been here with no major incidences.

The local organizing committee, led by Zifa vice president Omega Sibanda believe the experience garnered and the way the tournament has gone so far has made them believe that future Caf and even Fifa tournaments can be hosted without any hindrance.

In a statement, Zifa communications manager and member of the local organizing committee Xolisani Gwesela also hailed the people of Bulawayo who have been gracing the matches and urged them to continue rallying behind the four remaining games as the tournament gets into the semifinals stage at Barbourfields Stadium on Thursday.

“The Local Organising Committee is impressed by the splendid organisational capacity it has displayed in organising this prestigious women tournament.

“We have gained experience and we are ready to bid and host future Caf competitions. We are grateful to the Bulawayo football loving fans who have been coming in their large numbers to grace our matches at Luveve and Barbourfields.

“We would like to appeal to these loyal fans to continue coming for our remaining fixtures and make the game beautiful.

“All matches remain absolutely free. We are grateful to our service providers who have rendered their services with distinction. We say thank you to our volunteers who have shown great commitment and dedication in making this tournament a success,” said Gwesela.

More than 120 volunteers were employed for the tournament.

Hosting of major international events also resonates well with the country’s sport and recreation policy which was adopted by the cabinet last year and in which President Mugabe in his foreword to the policy noted that sport and recreation has witnessed exponential growth and has become one of the key economic drivers globally.

President Mugabe said the country must seize the opportunities presented by sport to enhance socio-economic welfare of its citizens.

“As enunciated in our economic blue print, sport is expected to play its part in job creation, economic transformation and empowerment of all Zimbabweans especially the youth. To realize this aspiration, concerted effort will be made to catapult the sport industry onto a path of sustainable growth and in addition sport tourism will be enhanced through hosting of mega international events,” wrote President Mugabe.

@skhumoyo2000.