Branton Matondo
Mutare-The four day scheduled innings between Pakistan A and Zimbabwe A at Mutare Sports Club have been dubbed an eye opener on how Manicaland can benefit from foreign tourism through sport.
Speaking to TellZim News on the side lines of the match, Manicaland Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Edgars Seenza said the Pakistan envoy is overwhelmed by the scenery of Manicaland citing that tourism can benefit largely through sport.
“Pakistan is a giant as far as cricket is concerned. Their coming here is really a pleasure to us. We should indeed take advantage of this not only to watch but learn how they play. At the same time it has brought business in the sense of Whitehorse. I have heard from the captain that they are enjoying their stay. I then tasked them that you are coming as cricketers but you also should come as tourists and one of them said he will have his honeymoon here. So l was very happy. We also have Nyanga area and I then asked them to go and see the beauty, time permitting. We are very happy as Manicaland to host Pakistan,” said Seenza.
Asked on how sport can fit in government engagement and re-engagement programmes, Seenza said sport, like cricket portray a good picture of Zimbabwe in the process attracting potential engagements from foreign players.
“Indeed that’s one way because we will portray a correct image of Zimbabwe to some of these countries. In my discussion with them, they were concerned with issues of safety but now they are so mesmerized by the freelance, they are playing freely and they are moving around freely and enjoying the tranquillity. That alone makes them our ambassadors. So when they go back and tell others what they have seen, there will have a better understanding on issues of investment. It helps us a lot in luring as many investors as possible,” he added.
One of the players from Pakistan shared his thoughts on Manicaland and the scenery.
“This is a good place, I am really enjoying it. Last week we were in Kwekwe and now it seems as if we moved out of Zimbabwe. Even the food ,we are really enjoying,” said the player.
Cricket has for long been viewed as a pivotal player in engaging the outside world in terms of tourism.
One of the strongest bonds to ever come out of cricket is South Africa and India, two nations that continue to share investment opportunities and relations through the sport.
Zimbabwe and Pakistan are playing 3 test series, one in Kwekwe, one in Mutare and the other one in Harare.
Innings match at Mutare Sports Club was a four day match from May 10-13.
