Rugby Facilities Construction Set To Illuminate ...

Rugby Facilities Construction Set To Illuminate Kariba

Gilbert Munetsi

A modest primary school situated in a remote part of Kariba is set to be turned into a model institution following plans to establish a state of the art rugby field that will also be multi-functional.

Officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, representatives from the Nyami Nyami Rural District Council and the local leadership recently toured the ground measuring 6ha which was donated for the project by the Nyami Nyami Rural District Council.

The delegation included Monkey Safaris Managing director Mr Kuda Magezi, the District Schools Inspector Mrs Juliet Tizirai, head of Nyamhunga Primary School Mrs Bridget Masocha, Tiger Skills Primary School head Mr John Siasayi, the chairman of the SDA Mr Gibson Mutale and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority regional manager Tapiwa Mpofu.

Situated some 20km south-east of Kariba town, Kariba Tiger Skills Primary School has an enrolment of just 79 pupils and a staff complement of six.

But with the construction of the intended facilities, it has the potential to draw big events and crowds to the resort town.

Its being in close proximity to the part of Lake Kariba where the annual Tiger Tournament is hosted will be a great advantage as anglers will also have an opportunity to watch sport after having spent hours on the waters.

The rugby facilities establishment is the brainchild of a local tourism enterprise, Monkey Safaris, and it adds to other initiatives the company has come up with. They include the hosting – over several years – of premier soccer league clubs such as FC Platinum for off-season camps.

Monkey Safaris Managing Director Kuda Magezi said the idea to construct facilities for rugby came after the realization that sport and tourism are inseparable and that there is need to bring a diversity of activities to a place where soccer is the main source of recreation.

“We have engaged several players in the rugby sector who will assist in making the project national and regional. With the experience we have amassed in other sporting disciplines like soccer (through the Monkey Safaris Academy) and boxing, we believe we have what it takes to ensure Karibians get the best of sport entertainment,” he said.

Kariba Tiger Skills Primary School chairman of the Development Association Gibson Mutale spoke of his committee’s drive to promote sports tourism in the area.

He said there has been an increasing concern by the tourism and sports stakeholders to develop sports tourism in Zimbabwe. The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic reversed the ongoing upsurge in the global tourism industry therefore forcing countries to adapt and promote domestic tourism. Sports tourism plays a great role in this initiative, he noted.

“The concept is now a big product across the globe and we believe that there is a massive opportunity for collaboration with sports to further reach critical masses. We now witness the beginning of a very brilliant idea by Monkey Safaris which we strongly believe will allow us to position Kariba as a must-visit destination for both local and international tourists.

“The aim of developing a sports arena will go a long way in reviving domestic tourism and support the continued collaboration of the government and the private sector to spur on the recovery of tourism.

“Let’s not forget the great increases in direct spending by sports tourists at host facilities, hotels and entertainment venues which will in-turn stimulate the local economy. This will also go a long way in promoting local tourism business in Kariba as a whole, also increasing entertainment opportunities for residents and showcasing Kariba in a positive light.

“I would say we will be very fortunate to have sponsors to make this happen because we are all focused on the same goal which is enhancing domestic tourism and supporting the recovery efforts. We are therefore humbled and in support of such initiates that have made us converge for the promotion of sports tourism, market destination Kariba and Zimbabwe at large and create sustainable development for marginalised communities in resort towns,” said Mr Mutale.