University to build multi-million-dollar sports academy

BINDURA University of Science Education is set to construct a multi-million national sports academy with President Mnangagwa expected to officiate at the ground-breaking ceremony on June 14.

The sports academy, which is set to be a game changer in Zimbabwe’s sports circles, will be built in two phases, with the first phase expected to cost about $2 million.

The academy will be sitting on a 100-hectare piece of land that is expected to change the face of Bindura when eventually competed by 2022.

Already, 98 percent of the civil work has been completed with the assistance of the Zimbabwe National Army.

The first phase, which will see the construction of a soccer-cum rugby pitch with athletics tartan track around and facilities for basketball, volleyball, netball, tennis and multi-purpose facilities, is expected to be complete by December 2019.

The second phase will see the construction of a sports hall with a seating capacity of 1 500 people, indoor and outdoor swimming pools with floodlights, students and officials accommodation at the academy, sports Science and Research Unit, time out café bar and sports shop, rugby pitch with floodlights, cricket pavilion with floodlights, synthetic hockey field, all weather tennis courts, all weather basketball courts, all weather netball courts, one fully equipped gymnasium, an 18-hole golf course and an Olympics Sports Centre.

Speaking at a preparatory meeting with provincial heads of departments at Bindura University of Science Education’s Faculty of Science and Education, the dean of the faculty, Professor Wilson Parawira said President Mnangagwa had confirmed his participation at the ground-breaking ceremony and to being the patron of the academy.

“The ground-breaking ceremony is no-longer for BUSE only, but Zimbabwe at large and we expect a bumper crowd of more than 15 000 to attend. We are here to mobilise on how best we can brainstorm to have the best ever ground-breaking ceremony in Zimbabwe. We want to dwarf all other previous events where President Mnangagwa has officiated at.

“Our vision is to host major sporting events in Bindura and put Mashonaland Central on the world map. The construction of this sporting academy will also result in the development of Bindura as eventually a hotel will be constructed to accommodate visiting teams and officials,” said Professor Parawira.

Acting director in the Minister of State for Mashonaland Provincial Affairs, Mr Admore Shereni, called for cooperation of all stakeholders in the province to make the ground-breaking ceremony a success.

The director of the National Sports Academy and renowned sports administrator, Mr Titus Zvomuya, said the project was motivated by the absence of a scientific approach to the country’s sports programmes, the dwindling numbers of Zimbabwean sportspersons at major international competitions especially the Olympics Games as well as the absence of medals at all major international competitions.

“We cannot afford to continue sending our athletes to major international competitions for them to just add up the numbers. We want to groom athletes who will bring back medals home.

“We aim to build career paths for our young people while utilising sports as a bridge builder among different cultures in Zimbabwe,” he said.