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Dutch football legend Patrick Kluivert (right) greets the Minister of State Security Kembo Mohadi upon his arrival at Jahunda Community Information Centre in Gwanda on Saturday. On Kluivert’s right is another legend Edgar Davids as well as Spanish legend Rayco Garcia

Nonsikelelo Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
ZIMBABWE has potential to grow its tourism through sport if the country ups its marketing drive,  Spanish footballer Rayco Garcia has said.

Garcia, who left Victoria Falls on Monday after doing some bungee jumping at the Victoria Falls Bridge, said he would definitely return for a visit with his family.

Garcia was in the country with Dutch legends Edgar Davids and Patrick Kluivert as special guests of Sport and Recreation Minister Makhosini Hlongwane.

Their visit is part of efforts to spruce up Zimbabwe’s image after two decades of battering by the international media.

Kluivert did not travel to the resort town, but the trio met President Mugabe in Gwanda on Saturday.

Garcia said sport tourism is the new trend worldwide which Zimbabwe should embrace to reap huge benefits.

“In Spain, football is very important and we have millions of tourists visiting. Zimbabwe is a wonderful place with many possibilities and a good market for tourism. If we use sport to promote tourism, the country can reap huge benefits,” said Garcia at the Victoria Falls Bridge.

Garcia, who has been to other African countries such as Tanzania and Uganda where he planned to set up football academies, said plans are underway to bring more Barcelona players to Zimbabwe ahead of the historic visit by the Spanish giants for an exhibition match in November.

He said he was moved by the country’s hospitality.

“Look I am sitting here for an interview and I feel very safe and at home. People have been attacking the country and our visit, but this is a safe country. However, I believe it’s not enough to be good. You really need to market the country internationally so that you have more sporting icons coming. I have done a helicopter flight and boat cruise and saw elephants, which I never expected to see, and that’s very fantastic. I have been sending pictures to my family and they have been asking when we should come here as a family,” Garcia said.

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