Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently initiated the construction of a cricket stadium near the renowned Victoria Falls, marking a major step for the country’s sports infrastructure. This new venue, once completed, is expected to be one of the most scenic cricket stadiums globally, thanks to its location near the iconic natural wonder. The project reflects the country’s ambition to elevate its sports tourism and provide a world-class facility. The stadium promises to attract international attention, further promoting Zimbabwe as a prime destination for both sports and tourism.
Zimbabwe to Build a New Stadium:
The upcoming Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, with a capacity of 10,000, is set to host major global events in 2026 and 2027. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) will partner with Namibia to co-host the Under-19 World Cup in 2026, while South Africa will join them to organize the 2027 World Cup. These events mark a significant milestone for the region in international cricket.
The Zimbabwean government has set aside 10 hectares of land for the Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, with funding reportedly coming from the International Cricket Council (ICC). While the construction is estimated to cost between $5 and $10 million, the ICC has clarified that no additional funds will be directed to individual projects. Designed as a multi-sport venue, the stadium will not only host cricket but also accommodate rugby, hockey, and netball, making it a versatile addition to the region’s sports infrastructure.
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa said, “ The location of this stadium in this city will undoubtedly contribute to the speedy attainment of tourism sector targets and towards our national development aspirations as outlined in the National Development Strategy Vision 2030.”
He added, “ As Zimbabwe Cricket, we are the first to admit that our stadiums are no longer adequate, we had to lock out some fans during the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers but that’s not what we want to do. We want to have as many people to access our grounds and we want their experience to be awesome when they come into the grounds.”
Zimbabwe Cricket media and communication manager Darlington Majonga said, “ So work is already underway and as you are aware, we will be co-hosting the 2027 men’s World Cup and before that, we are also hosting the next edition of the Under 19 World Cup together with Namibia, so these are massive tournaments and we are working to improve our facilities for more global tournaments.”
Zimbabwe Cricket managing director Givemore Makoni said, “ Work is progressing very well, a lot of earthmoving has been happening. The levelling of the academy pitch and the main pitch is progressing very well. The facility has been fenced, a site establishment has also been done, boreholes have been drilled, and a water reservoir has also been established. There is good progress so far, we are impressed by what is on the ground.”
Zimbabwe Cricket’s Current Situation:
Zimbabwean cricket is experiencing a challenging period, having missed qualification for back-to-back 50-over World Cups in 2019 and 2023. Their struggles continued as they failed to secure a spot in the recent T20 World Cup hosted by the US and West Indies. A surprising upset by Uganda, a relatively lesser-known team in the cricketing world, further highlighted Zimbabwe’s decline. These setbacks have marked a significant low point for the national team, raising concerns about the future of cricket in the country and the need for revitalization.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, and follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram.
