News / Local
Kirsty Coventry begs Treasury for infrastructure development
03 Nov 2023 at 01:43hrs | Views
Sports Arts and Culture Minister, Kirsty Coventry, made a plea to the treasury for funding to address the dire state of sports infrastructure, implicitly urging the government to invest in sports.
Zimbabwe currently grapples with deteriorating sporting facilities that have been neglected by local and central governments, leaving them in disrepair. The inadequate infrastructure has led Zimbabwean football teams to host international games in other countries, marking a low point in the nation's sporting history.
Presenting her report to members of parliament during the 2024 pre-budget seminar, Coventry implored the treasury to allocate grants for infrastructure revitalization.
"It is now time the nation should embark on or seriously consider significant investment in Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture for sustainable national development, pride, peace, and security. The sectors will never be the same again once the sport, recreation, arts, and culture are afforded the requisite resources, which include appropriate workspaces, finances (working capital, concessionary loans, and grants), machinery, equipment, land, and skills," read Coventry's report.
Annually, the Finance Minister, Mthuli, allocates funding to the Sports Ministry for infrastructure development, which has been criticized as insufficient. The National Sports Stadium, which is government-owned, failed to meet FIFA standards, and Coventry's promises of refurbishing it to international standards have yet to materialize.
The parliamentary portfolio committee on Sports Arts and Culture has called for a focus on the National Sports Stadium and the Magamba hockey field in its vicinity. Coventry proposed a blueprint to revamp the country's infrastructure.
"It is proposed that should resources permit, additional funding should be provided to these sectors, either in the form of concessionary loans and/or grants. In addition, funding for capital expenditure regarding public sector investment programs (PSIP) and Ministry operations – for mobility, including office furniture and equipment for district offices, should be considered a priority for meaningful service delivery," added Coventry.
Zimbabwe currently grapples with deteriorating sporting facilities that have been neglected by local and central governments, leaving them in disrepair. The inadequate infrastructure has led Zimbabwean football teams to host international games in other countries, marking a low point in the nation's sporting history.
Presenting her report to members of parliament during the 2024 pre-budget seminar, Coventry implored the treasury to allocate grants for infrastructure revitalization.
Annually, the Finance Minister, Mthuli, allocates funding to the Sports Ministry for infrastructure development, which has been criticized as insufficient. The National Sports Stadium, which is government-owned, failed to meet FIFA standards, and Coventry's promises of refurbishing it to international standards have yet to materialize.
The parliamentary portfolio committee on Sports Arts and Culture has called for a focus on the National Sports Stadium and the Magamba hockey field in its vicinity. Coventry proposed a blueprint to revamp the country's infrastructure.
"It is proposed that should resources permit, additional funding should be provided to these sectors, either in the form of concessionary loans and/or grants. In addition, funding for capital expenditure regarding public sector investment programs (PSIP) and Ministry operations – for mobility, including office furniture and equipment for district offices, should be considered a priority for meaningful service delivery," added Coventry.
Source - NewZimbabwe
