By Tadiwa Shunje
MASVINGO – The newly commissioned Masvingo City Multi-Purpose Courts at Mucheke are
expected to play a critical role in steering young people away from drug and substance abuse by
providing a safe, inclusive environment for sport, recreation and talent development, officials
have said.
Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Honorable Retired Lieutenant General Anselem
Nhamo Sanyatwe, commissioned the facility on July 27, 2026, saying Government’s investment
in modern sporting infrastructure was aimed at promoting healthy, productive and resilient
communities while addressing social challenges affecting young people.
“As we continue implementing our National Development Agenda, investment in sports
infrastructure remains an important pillar in promoting good health, productive and resilient
communities in Masvingo. The completion of these facilities reflects an appreciation that
investment in sport is not merely an expenditure but a strategic investment in human capital
development, public health, social cohesion, youth employment and sustainable economic
growth,” said Sanyatwe.
He said the commissioning of the courts is fully aligned with Vision 2030 and the National
Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which identifies sport, recreation, arts and culture as important
contributors to attaining an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Sanyatwe said Government wanted every province and district to invest in modern, inclusive and
accessible sporting infrastructure that enables communities to participate in sport while
contributing to local economic development.
“Government recognizes sport as an important vehicle for addressing contemporary social
challenges. We want our youths to desist from drug and substance abuse, juvenile delinquency
and unemployment. The aim is to promote talent identification and development from grassroots
to elite level while providing accessible and safe sporting facilities for everyone,” he said.
Masvingo City town clerk, Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa, said the commissioning of the multi-
purpose courts marked the beginning of a broader programme to transform Mucheke Stadium
into a modern sporting hub capable of hosting local, provincial, national and international
competitions, and it will also significantly contribute to the fight against drug and substance
abuse by giving young people constructive alternatives through sport.
“We are now going to our main arena of the stadium to start refurbishing it for us to host national
and international games. The purpose is for Mucheke Stadium to serve as a sports hub for the
Masvingo community, hosting local, provincial as well as national events.
“We believe this is an important step in helping us fight the scourge of drug and substance abuse
because when young people are engaged in sporting activities, they share positive ideas and
encourage one another to stay away from drugs. The other purpose is to develop sport in the city,
with particular emphasis on grassroots development. We are optimistic this infrastructure will
produce stars who will represent provincial teams and eventually the national teams,” said
Mukaratirwa.
He said the courts were designed to be fully accessible to persons with disabilities, ensuring that
everyone can participate in sporting activities without barriers.
Speaking at the same event, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for
Masvingo Province, Ezra Chadzamira, said the new facility will also play a pivotal role during
the Sanganai/Hlanganani Zimbabwe World Tourism Expo, which Masvingo will host in
September, and also to combat the challenge of drug and substance abuse.
“The multi-purpose courts will play a pivotal role in hosting the prestigious Sanganai/Hlanganani
Zimbabwe World Tourism Expo here in Masvingo City this coming September. Sport is no
longer just recreation; it is health, it is education, it is business, and it is national pride.
“The youths of Mucheke and Masvingo, this facility belongs to you. Use it to improve your
health. Use it to stay away from drug and substance abuse. Let Mucheke produce the next
national team champions. Let Mucheke produce champions. Let us make sure these facilities are
well maintained, said Chadzamira.
Masvingo Mayor Cllr Alec Tabe said the city was committed to creating modern and inclusive
recreational facilities that promote youth development and healthy communities while addressing
social challenges such as drug and substance abuse.
“These courts are accessible and modern recreational spaces for our residents, particularly our
young people. They will nurture sporting talent, encourage healthy lifestyles, promote
community cohesion and provide opportunities for athletes to compete at higher levels. We
believe investment in sport is an investment in the future. We also believe this investment will
help us combat drug and substance abuse. To our residents, let us use these facilities wisely and
protect them from vandalism so that they can serve generations to come,” said Tabe.
The multi-purpose sports courts were constructed by the City of Masvingo at a total cost of ZWG
1,992,028.66. The complex comprises six courts catering for basketball, netball, volleyball and
tennis, as well as modern ablution facilities to improve the overall sporting experience and
ensure accessibility for all users, including persons with disabilities.
The facility is expected to serve as a sports hub for the city by hosting local, provincial and
national competitions while promoting grassroots talent development and increasing youth
participation in sport. Authorities say the courts will also contribute to the fight against drug and
substance abuse by providing young people with positive recreational opportunities.
Even before their official commissioning, the facilities had already hosted several major events
at Mucheke Stadium, including the National Disability Expo, the 2026 Zimbabwe Republic
Police Commissioner-General’s Games, the 2026 All State Universities Games, the Inter-
Municipal School Games and the National Special Olympics Games.
Mucheke Stadium has also been selected to host the 2026 Inter-Municipal Games in August,
while the newly commissioned courts are expected to play a pivotal role during the
Sanganai/Hlanganani Zimbabwe World Tourism Expo in September. Chadzamira says the
investment will strengthen Masvingo’s position as a destination for national sporting events
while creating opportunities for youth development, social inclusion and economic growth
through sport.
