Published by the government of Zimbabwe
4 November 2009
Harare — Government is engaging their South African counterparts in a bid to ensure Zimbabwe maximises on the benefits that come with the staging of the 2010 World Cup.
The inter-ministerial task force on the global football showcase is looking at enhancing co-operation between the two parties.
The chairperson of the Cabinet inter-ministerial taskforce, Walter Mzembi, said it was imperative that after the successful staging of the Cosafa tournament by Zimbabwe, attention should now shift to tourism to ensure the country reaps the benefits that come with the World Cup bandwagon.
South Africa will become the first nation on the continent to host the World Cup between June and July next year.
It is against this background that Mzembi said his task force would first send a technical team to South Africa to prepare for a meeting of the task force and their South African counterparts.
Mzembi, who is also the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, said Zimbabwe also needed to be geared for the World Cup trophy tour, which is expected to roll into town on November 27.
The minister made the remarks at a press conference in Harare on Monday at which his ministry also paid tribute to the Warriors for lifting the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup following their 3-1 triumph over Zambia at Rufaro on Sunday.
Mzembi used the same occasion to confer Warriors coach Sunday Chidzambwa with the honorary tourism ambassadorial role following the Warriors' record fourth Cosafa title.
Harare and Bulawayo city councils, whose stadiums -- Rufaro and Barbourfields were used for the staging of the Cosafa games -- were also praised by Mzembi for sprucing up the venues in time for the tournament.
Mzembi said focus should also be turned to the upgrading of other stadiums through the relevant ministries.
"With just two stadia we were able to host at least 12 teams. The focus should now be on upgrading our provincial stadia to include Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo, Chinotimba in Victoria Falls and Sakubva in Mutare," Mzembi said.
At the same function the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority announced bonuses for the Warriors that include holiday vouchers for Chidzambwa and his technical team.
The ZTA indicated that players who won individual awards will get three times what Cosafa gave them.
Warriors' goalkeeper Edmore Sibanda and striker Cuthbert Malajila each won R7 500 for being named Cosafa goalkeeper of the tournament and winning the Golden Boot.
Meanwhile the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, his deputy Lazarus Dokora, the permanent secretary Stephen Mahere, the directorate and staff of the ministry have congratulated the Warriors for winning the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup.
"The performance of the Warriors throughout the Cosafa tournament bore testimony of the amount of talent, expertise and organisational potential that Zimbabwe has," said Mahere in a statement yesterday.
"Sport, and soccer in particular, surely proved that the nation can re-brand itself.
"The country achieved this victory through unity of purpose and social cohesion as the people of Zimbabwe lived true to the motto 'One Nation Playing To Win.'
"Once more congratulations Warriors and we look forward to repeat the performances at regional, continental and international tournaments."
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Zimbabwe should get not a penny of tourism money from the WC in SA. The rest of the real world should show their contempt for the showplace of marxism that ZANU-Poof/Mugabe has made Zimbabwe by avoiding Zimbabwe altogether!
The World Cup is supposedly a celbration of sport - but what have the people of Zimbabwe to celebrate? The "Cup" was awarded to South Africa, NOT Zimbabwe - was that an oversight on the part of FIFA? I think not.
The LAST thing FIFA wants is to be associated with the kleptocracy that is ZANU-Poof/Mugabe! Why should their "celebration" be bought with the blood of those repressed by Mugabe's death grip on power?
I would hope that those who do travel to the games in South Africa make a concerted effort to avoid travelling in or even through Zimbabwe!
Or does ZANU-Poof/Mugabe hope to gorge themselves further with the crumbs that fall from South Africa's table...............?
"Total Empowerment!" - "An (empty) lie, told often enough, becomes the truth", Joseph Goebbels.
Penya Africa! visit www.africaplays.com