Bringing International Football Back to Zimbabwe

Lieutenant General (Rtd) Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe
Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture
Harare
Zimbabwe

Subject: Bringing International Football Back to Zimbabwe

Dear Honourable Minister,


Cde Minister, the Warriors, our beloved national team, continue to play their "home" matches abroad, depriving millions of passionate supporters the joy and national pride of cheering them on in our own stadiums. The root cause of this situation is well known, our major stadiums, the National Sports Stadium, Rufaro, Gwanzura, and Barbourfields, no longer meet international standards.

The solution is painfully clear, we must urgently shift our national priorities. Instead of continually allocating public funds to luxuries for officials, those resources should be redirected toward upgrading our sporting infrastructure, an investment that would yield massive economic, social, and cultural returns.

Reliable sources confirm that the government currently has no budget allocated for the refurbishment of our stadiums. In the absence of state funding, private entities such as Sakunda Holdings have commendably stepped in to upgrade the National Sports Stadium, a facility that should, by right, be maintained by the state. While their involvement is appreciated, it is deeply concerning that such a vital pillar of national identity is being kept afloat by the private sector alone.

Each time the Warriors are forced to play outside Zimbabwe, the country loses a minimum of US$500,000 per game. In just the last two years, this has cost our nation millions, money that could have been invested in progressive stadium upgrades. Meanwhile, new vehicles for government officials continue to be procured. Honourable Minister, we must ask, where are our national priorities?

Let us be clear, Rufaro, Gwanzura, and Barbourfields are owned by local authorities, while the National Sports Stadium is under central government control. In all its forms, the government owns these facilities and therefore bears the responsibility for their maintenance and restoration. This is a duty that must be taken seriously.

Now, under your stewardship as Cde Minister, Zimbabwe expects more than symbolic declarations. We urgently require a clear plan and a firm commitment. In that regard, I respectfully propose that you immediately appoint a multi-stakeholder fundraising committee, with the sole mandate of mobilising funds to restore our stadiums to international standards.

This committee should be chaired by Mr. Zed Koudounaris, the co-founder of Innscor Africa Limited. With his extensive network, corporate leadership and patriotic spirit, Mr. Zed Koudounaris is ideally positioned to rally both local and international support. With full government backing, private sector involvement and public engagement, this committee could become the driving force that finally brings international football back to Zimbabwean soil.

I cannot help but reflect on the late Eddie “Mboma” Nyatanga, may his soul rest in peace who would never have waited for bureaucracy. He would have assembled stakeholders, hosted a modest luncheon and sparked a national movement overnight. In his honour and legacy, let us find the courage and unity to act now.

Football is more than entertainment. It is a national identity. It is a community. It is a symbol of our resilience and national pride. Let us stop the bleeding of resources and restore the roar of the Warriors on Zimbabwean soil.

The time to act is now. If you need me to elaborate please WhatsApp me on +263772278161.

Yours faithfully,

Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi