The Minister of Sport and Recreation Honourable Makhosini Hlongwane and his Cuban counterpart Dr.Antonio E. Becali Garrido, President of the National Institute of Sports,Physical Education and Recreation (INDER), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two ministries in Havana, Cuba concerning co-operation in the field of sport.

The signing ceremony was held yesterday, 27 September 2016.

The scope of the agreement includes but is not limited to the following areas of co-operation:
exchange of information related to sport and recreation medicine, sport and recreation research and development, sport technology, doping control, high performance and general sports techniques.

In addition, the agreement calls for exchange of experts in the field of sport which will go a long way in furthering the development of sport and recreation in Zimbabwe.

During the two day visit to Cuba, Honourable Makhosini Hlongwane visited Cuba's Sports Medicine Institute, the National Volleyball School and the Centre for Scientific Research of Cuban Sports.

Following the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, the Republic of Zimbabwe is expected to develop its sport medicine industry, engage in research and development in sport and recreation learning from the Republic of Cuba's experiences.

Under the auspices of this agreement, a Cuban company has agreed to invest in the production of a Cuban developed sports energy drink in Zimbabwe for the African market.

The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding further cements government's commitment to organising the sport and recreation sector for employment creation and industrial development. 

The Minister of Cuba Dr.Antonio E. Becali Garrido described the signing of this agreement as historic.

The signing ceremony was attended by INDER's board of directors, Cuban Sporting legends most of whom are multiple gold medallists  the olympics and the ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the Republic of Cuba ,His Excellency Ignatius Mudzimba.