Mzembi defends Zimbabwe World Cup dream

Below is the address to Parliament by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry - Engineer Walter Mzembi on Zimbabwe's ambitions to host 2034 World Cup

Members of the old Inclusive Government, like Hon. Chamisa, would recall that my Ministry, Tourism and Hospitality Industry was given the mandate to run what we call a Conventions Bureau.

Its business is to go out there to bid and lobby for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions together with technical ministries.

In this instance, we have legitimacy in actually pronouncing the vision on Zimbabwe for World Cup 2034.

Many of you would recall that in 2011, when the President of FIFA visited the country, Sepp Blatter, we asked what our chances were with regards to putting a bid for 2034.

He answered that the chances were as good as our dreams and vision as a country. More importantly, we are encouraged by the fact that in 2010, contrary to what turned out to be World Cup, 2010 just played in South Africa, the bid itself spoke to a regional bid where countries would have participated in hosting some of the games.

 Many of you would recall that we actually refurbished three stadia, the National Sports Stadium, Babourfields and Rufaro.

We even put an artificial turf on Rufaro in anticipation of hosting the games.

Unfortunately, in the wisdom of the South African Government, they decided to use their own provinces to host the games and they built a stadium each in every province that would host the games and we were left out as the region.

The best that Zimbabwe managed to get that time was a trial or practice match between Zimbabwe and Brazil, which many of you would remember was a very successful project under the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

Brazil proceeded to play another game with Tanzania, again as a practice match.

Going forward, if we are united as a country around this vision of hosting World Cup 2034, it is possible that we can do it.

Vision and wisdom is measured by the ability of contemporary generations to plant trees today whose shade they are very sure they may not be able to enjoy in the future.

What we are simply doing is casting a 20 year vision for Zimbabwe in the field of sport and tourism.

If the Minister wishes to plant gum trees, my Ministry and the ZANU PF Government is willing to plant baobab trees that will live and outlive us, going forward into the future.

Going back to the issue, let me say that it is possible Madam

Speaker, to host World Cup 2034 in Zimbabwe on the back of regional infrastructure, that is already in place.

We can mobilise South Africa, Mozambique Botswana and Zambia, with Zimbabwe providing the lead bit to host this World Cup in our domain.

Let me say to the hon.member that even the children who are going to play in 2034, 50% of the Zimbabwe National Team is not yet born and that is what is called vision.

In addition to that Madam Speaker, we have all the ingredients

for a successful hosting of this Cup on the back of all the work that we have sought to achieve through ZIM ASSET, infrastructural work and we think that by that time, we would have arrived sufficient enough to host a successful World Cup.

Having said that, if there is any Member of Parliament in this

House whose pessimism for this country is as low as has been cited by the hon. member, to the extent where we do not see substantive and substantial progress in this country in 20 years time, to the extent where we can hold a World Cup, then it is extremely unfortunate.

I would hope that going forward into the future, we can rally national support towards this legacy project which can drive investment in the country.