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Minister Hlongwane

Grace Chingoma, Harare Bureau
SPORTS and Recreation Minister, Makhosini Hlongwane, yesterday met with the Ambassador of Cuba Elio, Savon Oliva, to deliberate on a framework agreement which will see the two countries co-operating on various sporting disciplines.

The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on the Minister at his offices yesterday and emerged from the meeting saying they had a fruitful discussion which is likely to benefit the two countries.

“I wanted to meet the Minister of Sports and Recreation because we think there is a lot we can do together in the important field of sport,” said Oliva.

“I really found the Minister very enthusiastic, with a lot of ideas which he can recommend for the benefit of both countries in terms of sports and recreation.”

Hlongwane said it was important that they share notes.

“The discussion was based on how we could share experiences given the fact that Cuba and Zimbabwe are the countries under sanctions and the importance of Sports and Recreation, therefore, becomes something that cannot be over emphasised,” said Hlongwane.

“Cuba has done very well since the revolution to establish a very solid sports movement as well as intervening deliberately in terms of sports infrastructure as well as that of recreation.

“And there is a lot that Zimbabwe could learn from our sister Republic of Cuba in terms of investing in sport and recreation  infrastructure and that is very important for us.

“Another important thing that Cuba is doing is that close to a hundred countries from the developing world are benefiting from cooperating with Cuba in the areas of Sport and Recreation in the form of training of sport teachers as well as making sure that our coaches are also benefiting as far as training in Cuba is concerned.

“This is one of the areas that fits very well with our vision as Ministry, as Government, to say how do we develop capacities at the level of coaching but also at the role of enabling qualitative participation by our students, pupils as well those that then take part in sport at the tertiary level.

“So there is a draft framework agreement that has been discussed between the thetwo governments and it is on its way to my desk.

“I am going to have a look at it and say together with my colleagues in the Government, how do we value add to the document, of course, the idea being to sign on that document a framework agreement that will enable the Ministry of Sports, as well as the Ministry of Sports in Cuba, to co-operate on various sporting disciples and sports codes as well as recreational areas.”