Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA in MASVINGO
Zimbabwe needs to invest in more sports facilities across the country, to unlock the potential of sports tourism and attract international visitors, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Tongai Mnangagwa has said.
Speaking after teeing off at the Sanganai Tourism Expo Golf Tournament at Masvingo Golf Club today, Mnangagwa said sports had the potential to bring visitors from different parts of the world to Zimbabwe.
“Sports tourism can boost a lot because people will be coming from as far as India, the United States to come and spend time in Zimbabwe because of sports tourism,” said Mnangagwa.
He further revealed that sports was a driver of tourism and called for the development of more facilities across the country in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
“Yes, sport is a driver of tourism and now more facilities need to be put up across the country to stimulate sports tourism and domestic tourism.”
He said Zimbabwe could create different tourism destinations around various sporting disciplines, allowing tourists to travel across the country while participating in or watching sporting activities.
“People can go to Marondera for volleyball and you can go to another sport in Bulawayo. They go for tennis in Zvishavane but the facilities need to be there and working closely with the Ministry of Sports to have those facilities up,” said Mnangagwa.
He said the golf tournament was part of efforts to celebrate and promote sports tourism during the 19th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo.
Mnangagwa also thanked the sponsors for supporting the tournament.
Commissioner Sternly Kondongwe
Businessman and philanthropist Commissioner Sternly Kondongwe, through his company Byword Motors, is among the sponsors of the tournament.
Commissioner Kondongwe said he was pleased to support the event, which was held in his home province.
“I’m happy to be here as part of the sponsors. “My main reason why I have sponsored is because Masvingo is home; you call it Masvingo, I call it home, I belong here, I’m pleased to be part of Sanganai,” he said.
Kondongwe said the tournament had attracted a full field of 72 players, demonstrating the potential for Masvingo to host more sporting events.
“And I want everyone to enjoy golf today and the good thing is it’s full capacity, 72 players, it’s not a joke and we have nine holes here and we believe we can extend to have more tournaments,” said Commissioner Kondongwe.
He said he hoped such events would contribute to the growth of tourism in Masvingo and Zimbabwe.
The call for more sports facilities comes as Zimbabwe continues to explore sports tourism as a way of attracting visitors, increasing domestic travel and creating business opportunities for communities.
