Zimbabwe is lagging behind in sports infrastructural development, a government minister has said.

Speaking on Zimbabwe’s number 1 radio station Star FM Hub programme recently, Sports and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane said Zimbabwe has fallen behind almost all countries in the region in developing stadia and other sports infrastructure.
 
“It is very clear that we are lagging behind other countries. Zambia has built two beautiful stadiums recently, Malawi is about to complete one now, Angola has some of the best stadiums in Africa, South Africa, we can’t even talk and Mozambique are also doing fine,” said Hlongwane.

The Minister said he was in consultation with partners from China and Japan to help fund modernisation of the country’s sports infrastructure.
 
“Believe you me I am in discussion with my colleagues from China and Japan with view of seeking new investment in the modern stadia including the construction of new sports village.

“The new sports village will allow for a consolidated sports and recreation infrastructure that brings together a number of sporting disciplines.  We want to have (a) bucket system at our stadiums, so it’s an active conversation that we are having with my colleagues,” he said.

Zimbabwe’s main sports ground, the National Sports Stadium is not fitted with bucket seats while other stadia like Rufaro and Barbourfieds, with capacity to hold international soccer matches also do not have the bucket system throughout.

Mandava stadium in Zvishavane renovated with the help of Mimosa Mine remains the only stadium outside Harare and Bulawayo with capacity to host an international match though still also not complete.

Some facilities which were upgraded when the country hosted the All Africa Games in 1995 are in state of dereliction with the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex, Magamba Hockey Stadium and Stodart Netball Complex now being used mainly for social functions such as music concerts and church services.