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Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Government will over the next 10 years ensure that each of the country’s provinces and administrative districts have a multipurpose sporting facility that will not only provide a better livelihood and employment to the populace but the opportunity for the country to play host to regional and international sporting competitions.

There will also be a deliberate approach into modernising existing national stadia with the introduction of bucket seats as per international standards.

The commitment was given by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Patrick Chinamasa in his 2018 budget presentation on Thursday afternoon.

Also, said Minister Chinamasa, the government will, with effect from January 1, 2018, levy sport betting bookmakers five percent of gross takings following the realisation that the sport betting industry in the country has rapidly grown as a recreational activity generating in excess of $30 million per annum. The money will be used to mobilise resources to upgrade community recreational centres throughout the country.

“With respect to sport, Mr Speaker Sir, government, through the 2018 budget, will begin to lay a firm foundation to establish a vibrant sport industry that will provide livelihoods and employment to many of our young people. Therefore the 2018 budget will set aside resources for the establishment and development of sporting facilities and infrastructure, ensuring that over a period of 10 years, each province and administrative district will have a multipurpose sporting facility.

“It is also critical, Mr Speaker Sir that the 2018 budget prioritises modernisation of existing national stadia, to attain international standards such as the introduction of buckets seats. This will ensure that Zimbabwe meets regional and international standards and these are prerequisites in hosting sporting events at such levels,” said Minister Chinamasa.

At the moment only the National Sports Stadium in Harare and White City Stadium in Bulawayo provide multipurpose sporting facilities while the Colliery Stadium needs to have a tartan track in order to meet international standards.— @skhumoyo2000.