Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has agreed with the Gweru City Council (GCC) for the development of a new state-of-the-art cricket stadium in the city ahead of two major global events in the nation. Both the parties signed the agreement in Harare, where the local authorities will avail a piece of land for stadium development.
The project has emerged, as Zimbabwe is preparing to co-host two major global cricket tournaments i.e. the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
The agreement relates to a 10,446-hectare piece of land in the Middle capital which will legally bind for 99 years. Zimbabwe Cricket is looking to turn the plot into a multi-purpose stadium, the involved spectators stand a VIP pavilion, a media centre, corporate boxes and an accommodation facility.
Considering this, GCC town clerk – Livingstone Churu said that the Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is going to invest in a state-of-the-art cricket stadium in Gweru.
Clerk Churu added further that this is a 99-year lease were ZC will come in, to construct a state-of-the-art cricket ground. “As the City of Gweru, we are providing the space in terms of the land as it’s 10-hectare piece of land so that at least they can put up all the facilities,” said the clerk.
According to him, it is a multi-discipline facility where people are going to play cricket and they are also going to have squash. He confirmed that he is sure and all the other disciplines, even tennis as the way it is structured.
Managing Director of the Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) – Givemore Makoni said that they are pretty excited with the lease agreement that they signed with GCC.
“This is a huge milestone as far as cricket development is concerned and means to bring cricket to the Midlands Province,” said the Managing Director.
Makoni further stated that one of their strategic objectives is to become the number one sport in the country and to achieve the mission of taking the game to all four corners of the country.
“But without Gweru, the capital city of one of the major provinces whose strategic goal or milestone will not be reached,” said ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni.
Makoni further said that Gweru will be used as one of the practice venues for the main events and added that they are hosting the U-19 Men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Men’s World Cup in 2027 for which they will need practice and match venues.
The Mayor Councillor of GCC – Martin Chivhoko welcomed the development while hailing it as a game changer for the Midlands capital.
Chivhoko said that as a city they are happy with the partnership and with the fact that they have entered with ZC for the growth of sport in the city.
He added that this initiative will also improve the GDP as more visitors will be received who will come for cricket matches in the city.
