Zim ready to bid for Caf events
ZIFA believe the country is ready to bid and host future Caf competitions following what it describes as excellent hosting of the ongoing Cosafa Women’s 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 the local organising committee, led by Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda believes the experience garnered and the way the tournament has gone so far makes them believe future Caf or Fifa tournaments can be hosted without any hindrance.
In a statement, Zifa communications manager and member of the Loc, Xolisani Gwesela, hailed the people of Bulawayo for gracing the Cosafa matches and urged them to continue attending the remaining games as the tournament gets into the semi-final stage at Barbourfields Stadium this afternoon.
“The local organising committee is impressed by the splendid organisational capacity it has displayed in organising this prestigious women’s 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 that have been coming in their large numbers to grace our matches at Luveve and Barbourfields stadiums.
“We would like to appeal to these loyal fans to continue coming for our remaining fixtures and make the game beautiful. All matches remain 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 are involved in the tournament.
Hosting of major international events also resonates well with the country’s Sport and Recreation Policy, which was adopted by Cabinet last year.
In his foreword to the policy, President Mugabe noted that sport and recreation had witnessed exponential growth and has become one of the key economic drivers globally.
He said the country must seize the opportunities presented by sport to enhance socio-economic welfare of its citizens.
“As enunciated in our economic blueprint, sport is expected to play its part in job creation, economic transformation and empowerment of all Zimbabweans, especially the youth.
“To realise 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.