Roseline Mutare
Masvingo-In a development that will improve the image and attendance of cricket games at Masvingo Sports Club, a state of the art pavilion/club house is under construction.
The project, spearheaded by Zimbabwe Cricket as part of a 20-year lease agreement, is set to elevate the club’s status and enable Masvingo to host international games.
Masvingo will also be able to host the 2027 world cup warm up matches which will be jointly held in Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Masvingo Sports Club manager, Davison Tavakonza, confirmed the development to The Midweek Watch.
“The pavilion will be handed over to Masvingo Sports Club upon completion of the lease, a positive development for the age old sports club. This construction is a result of the cordial relationship between Masvingo Sports Club and Zimbabwe Cricket, highlighting the benefits of collaboration in driving development,” said Tavakonza.
The pavilion will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including home and away teams dressing rooms, a recording officials’ cabin, and a kitchen section. The interior design boasts top-quality materials, creating an impressive ambiance for players and officials. The project has a budget of over US$35 000, including fixtures and fittings.
Tavakonza noted that this development is a great milestone for the city.
“This development is poised to have a significant impact on the city, as Masvingo Sports Club is expected to host warm-up matches for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, jointly hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia. The event will bring international attention to the city, showcasing its capabilities and infrastructure,” he added.
In an interview with this publication, Masvingo City Mayor, Councillor Aleck Tabe, welcomed the initiative.
“The construction of the cricket pavilion is a welcome development for Masvingo Sports Club and the city at large, demonstrating the potential for growth and development through partnerships and investments in sports infrastructure,” said Tabe.
Masvingo Sports Club has a history of hosting first class cricket unfortunately that is no longer the case as Cricket Zimbabwe has ordered all teams to play their league games in Harare in order to reduce costs.
Masvingo based Southern Rocks cricket club had been using the Sports Club as its home ground.
Cricket enthusiast, Graham Nish welcome the construction of the club house as it will go a long way in developing the game.
