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Sanyatwe tours Magaya's Heart Stadium
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Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Anselem Sanyatwe on Tuesday visited The Heart Stadium at Yadah Hotel in Waterfalls, Harare, in a tour aimed at assessing the progress of one of Zimbabwe's most promising privately funded sports infrastructure projects.
The facility, developed by prominent cleric and football patron Walter Magaya, has been approved by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) for competitive matches. Sanyatwe was accompanied by a high-powered delegation that included his permanent secretary Nicholas Moyo, Deputy Chief Secretary for the Social Services Sector Paul Damasani, acting sports director Ignatius Vambe, Sports and Recreation Commission director-general Elta Nengomasha, and ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi.
The visit by the former Zimbabwe National Army commander comes just two months after he was appointed to lead the Sports Ministry, replacing Kirsty Coventry, who took up the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in March.
Speaking after the tour, Magaya expressed his delight at hosting the ministerial delegation, describing The Heart Stadium as a prototype for future stadium development across Zimbabwe. "They came specifically to view The Heart Stadium, which we always cite as a prototype of what may be needed in terms of stadium development in the nation, though on a larger scale wherever the project is replicated," said Magaya.
He added that the visit also allowed for discussions on the potential renovation of White City Stadium, with plans to install a tartan track and upgrade the facility to international standards. Magaya also shared his broader sporting vision with Sanyatwe, including plans to develop five-a-side football, beach soccer, and volleyball facilities at The Farm Resort, another of his ambitious projects.
Sanyatwe, who has made infrastructure revitalization a key focus of his early tenure, recently toured the National Sports Stadium in Harare, which is currently undergoing renovations aimed at regaining international certification.
The minister lauded Magaya's contribution to national development, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the government and private sector. "A government and its people are like the left hand and the right hand," Sanyatwe said. "The left hand supports what the right hand is upholding when it is something special for the nation. If it is within the borders and airspace of the country, it automatically becomes a Zimbabwean asset."
Magaya has become a key figure in local sports infrastructure development, not only through The Heart Stadium but also as part of the team behind the Chahwanda Stadium project in Kwekwe, which is being constructed to meet international standards.
The visit by Sanyatwe comes at a critical time for Zimbabwean football. With no CAF-approved stadium currently available in the country, national teams are being forced to play international fixtures on foreign soil. Government officials hope that partnerships like the one with Magaya can pave the way for improved facilities and a revival of the local football scene.
The facility, developed by prominent cleric and football patron Walter Magaya, has been approved by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) for competitive matches. Sanyatwe was accompanied by a high-powered delegation that included his permanent secretary Nicholas Moyo, Deputy Chief Secretary for the Social Services Sector Paul Damasani, acting sports director Ignatius Vambe, Sports and Recreation Commission director-general Elta Nengomasha, and ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi.
The visit by the former Zimbabwe National Army commander comes just two months after he was appointed to lead the Sports Ministry, replacing Kirsty Coventry, who took up the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in March.
Speaking after the tour, Magaya expressed his delight at hosting the ministerial delegation, describing The Heart Stadium as a prototype for future stadium development across Zimbabwe. "They came specifically to view The Heart Stadium, which we always cite as a prototype of what may be needed in terms of stadium development in the nation, though on a larger scale wherever the project is replicated," said Magaya.
Sanyatwe, who has made infrastructure revitalization a key focus of his early tenure, recently toured the National Sports Stadium in Harare, which is currently undergoing renovations aimed at regaining international certification.
The minister lauded Magaya's contribution to national development, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the government and private sector. "A government and its people are like the left hand and the right hand," Sanyatwe said. "The left hand supports what the right hand is upholding when it is something special for the nation. If it is within the borders and airspace of the country, it automatically becomes a Zimbabwean asset."
Magaya has become a key figure in local sports infrastructure development, not only through The Heart Stadium but also as part of the team behind the Chahwanda Stadium project in Kwekwe, which is being constructed to meet international standards.
The visit by Sanyatwe comes at a critical time for Zimbabwean football. With no CAF-approved stadium currently available in the country, national teams are being forced to play international fixtures on foreign soil. Government officials hope that partnerships like the one with Magaya can pave the way for improved facilities and a revival of the local football scene.
Source - newsday
