Zimbabwe Olympic Committee Revives OlympAfrica Centre Project with New Masvingo Site

The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) has renewed its efforts to establish an OlympAfrica Centre in Zimbabwe after securing land in Masvingo for the long-awaited project. The proposed multi-purpose sports facility is expected to become a landmark investment in both sport and community development, creating opportunities for young people to participate in physical activity while promoting the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. The announcement represents an important milestone after previous attempts to launch the project faced significant setbacks. By partnering with the OlympAfrica Foundation and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), the ZOC hopes to deliver infrastructure that will benefit communities for generations. If successful, the project will mark a major step forward in expanding access to quality sporting facilities outside Zimbabwe’s major urban centers.

The revival of the OlympAfrica Centre project was officially announced during the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee’s annual general meeting held in Harare. During the meeting, officials confirmed that the organization had successfully secured donated land from the Masvingo Town Council, meeting one of the key requirements set by the OlympAfrica Foundation. The land donation is considered essential because the foundation requires local municipalities to contribute land as part of their commitment to supporting community development. This approach ensures that local authorities remain actively involved in the long-term success of each OlympAfrica Centre. The partnership between the municipality and sporting organizations is intended to create facilities that are accessible and beneficial to everyone within the surrounding community.

Zimbabwe Olympic Committee chief executive officer Marlene Gadzirayi explained that extensive discussions with the Masvingo Town Council, including the Mayor, Town Clerk and Housing Department, resulted in the successful allocation of land for the project. She described the arrangement as a mutually beneficial partnership that supports both community development and national sporting objectives. According to Gadzirayi, securing the land allowed the ZOC to formally engage the OlympAfrica directorate in Senegal, which oversees the foundation’s projects across the continent. As part of the next phase, OlympAfrica Foundation programme manager Marieme Coumba traveled from Senegal to Zimbabwe to conduct a site inspection and participate in meetings regarding the proposed development. Her visit is expected to play a crucial role in determining whether the selected land meets the foundation’s requirements before construction can proceed.

Although the project has generated considerable excitement, Gadzirayi emphasized that it remains in its early stages. The immediate objective is to obtain official approval of the site by ensuring that the land meets the necessary standards for size, location and accessibility. The OlympAfrica Foundation places particular importance on selecting locations that are easily accessible to local communities, especially children and young people who will use the facilities after school and during weekends. Organizers want the center to become a welcoming environment where people of all ages can participate in sports and recreational activities regardless of their background. This community-focused approach reflects the broader mission of OlympAfrica, which seeks to use sport as a tool for education, health and social development across Africa.

The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee also plans to incorporate sustainability measures into the project to ensure the center remains financially viable over the long term. Gadzirayi explained that income-generating initiatives will be explored as part of the development to help cover operational costs and maintain the facility. Creating sustainable revenue streams is considered essential for ensuring that the OlympAfrica Centre continues serving the community long after construction is completed. Such initiatives could also create employment opportunities while supporting local economic development alongside sporting activities. By combining community access with financial sustainability, the project aims to establish a model that can continue benefiting future generations.

The decision to move the project to Masvingo follows the collapse of an earlier initiative that had been planned for Epworth. The Zimbabwe Olympic Committee had previously entered into a partnership with the Epworth Local Board, which had also donated land for the proposed OlympAfrica Centre. However, construction could not proceed after illegal settlers occupied the allocated land, preventing the project from moving forward despite funding having already been secured. The setback delayed Zimbabwe’s hopes of joining other African countries that already host OlympAfrica Centres. Learning from that experience, the ZOC has welcomed the positive cooperation received from the Masvingo Town Council as a fresh opportunity to finally realize its vision.

Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president Thabani Gonye confirmed that the Masvingo project follows the same vision as the original Epworth proposal. He acknowledged that the earlier project had reached an advanced stage before unforeseen challenges forced officials to abandon the site. Despite that disappointment, Gonye expressed optimism that the new partnership with Masvingo would allow the organization to successfully complete the development. He also highlighted that the project aligns with the committee’s broader strategy of decentralizing its programs by expanding sporting opportunities beyond Harare. According to Gonye, establishing facilities in different parts of the country is essential for ensuring that more Zimbabweans benefit from Olympic development initiatives.

The proposed OlympAfrica Centre also reflects Zimbabwe’s commitment to promoting grassroots sports and nurturing future athletic talent. Accessible community sports facilities provide children and young people with safe environments to develop physical skills, improve their health and discover their sporting potential. Beyond competitive sport, such centers often become important community spaces that encourage social interaction, education and healthy lifestyles. The OlympAfrica model has already demonstrated success in several African countries by combining sports development with educational and community programs. Zimbabwe hopes to achieve similar outcomes by creating a facility that serves both aspiring athletes and the wider public.

As planning continues, the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee remains focused on completing all necessary approvals before construction begins. Gonye expressed hope that the required paperwork and agreements could be finalized before the end of the year, allowing the project to move into its next phase. The successful establishment of an OlympAfrica Centre in Masvingo would represent a significant achievement for Zimbabwean sport while strengthening community development through accessible sporting infrastructure. It would also demonstrate the value of collaboration between local government, international sporting organizations and community stakeholders. With strong support from the Masvingo Town Council and continued engagement with OlympAfrica, Zimbabwe is now closer than ever to delivering a project that could leave a lasting legacy for sport and youth development across the country.