By Nigel Pfunde
HARARE – Confederation of African Football President Dr Patrice Motsepe has commended Zimbabwe’s efforts to grow sports tourism, saying the country’s hospitality and leadership made him feel at home during his arrival in Harare on Sunday, reports Express Mail Zim.
Dr Motsepe touched down at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport ahead of the COSAFA Elective General Assembly. He was received by Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon Barbara Rwodzi, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority CEO Dr George Manyaya and Zimbabwe Football Association President Mr Nqobile Magwizi.
“Zimbabwe is my home, we are all one people,” Dr Motsepe said on arrival, describing the reception as evidence of the country’s warmth and continental spirit.
Minister Rwodzi said the welcome reflected government’s strategy of using sport to strengthen tourism growth, international visibility and investment. She said Zimbabwe was advancing a national sports tourism framework to attract major events and position the country as a regional destination for sport and hospitality.
Dr Manyaya said the ZTA was aligning its marketing under the “Experience Zimbabwe” platform to prioritize sports tourism which he said was key to spreading economic benefits and attracting sustainable investment.
Dr Motsepe also applauded President Emmerson Mnangagwa for championing sports tourism through football and for creating an environment that supports unity, investment and international engagement. He said the leadership had enhanced Zimbabwe’s capacity to host continental sporting events.
Government officials cite sports tourism as a growing contributor to the sector’s recovery. The 2025 Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup in Nyanga drew 11 countries and tourism contributed 12% to GDP in 2024.
Zimbabwe recorded over 1.6 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, generating more than US$1.2 billion in receipts. The 2026 National Budget projects arrivals to reach 1.87 million, supported by expanded hosting of regional and international sporting events.
Officials said the high-level reception for Dr Motsepe shows Zimbabwe’s push to leverage sport as a tool for economic growth, destination branding and national unity under Vision 2030.
