By Ngoni Dapira

Senator Chief James Kurauone Mutasa applauded the NetOne Albun Honde Valley Marathon held last Saturday as a game changer that will draw more attention towards the Eastern Highlands, particularly Hauna Growth Point that hosts the marathon.

In a side interview after the marathon he said sports tourism will boost investment opportunities in the surrounding areas like Hauna. Senator Chief Mutasa who was elected late last year as a Senator for Manicaland to replace the late Senator Chief Makumbe who passed on in November 2023 applauded the initiatives by Government in promoting sports tourism in various regions countrywide.

The sports tourism strategy supported by initiatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry is intended to boost the economy by attracting fans, increasing hotel bookings, and promoting other tourist activities. Sports tourism in Zimbabwe is growing through hosting major international events like the recently held Africa Footgolf Open Championship and the CAF U-17 COSAFA tournament, and through developing infrastructure like the new Victoria Falls skatepark and a multi-purpose cricket stadium.