Rising to the top tier of Zimbabwean football, newly promoted Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Scottland Football Club has unveiled an ambitious project to transform Mabvuku with the construction of a state-of-the-art 15,000-seater stadium.
In a landmark moment for local football, Scottland Football Club officially received the stadium site from the Harare City Council yesterday during a vibrant groundbreaking ceremony that marked the dawn of a new chapter for Mabvuku.
In a move set to bolster the project, financial services giant Ecobank has joined forces with Scottland Football Club and construction partner Mombeyaora to bring the vision of the 15,000-seater stadium to life.
With strong backing from the Harare City Council, the much-anticipated stadium project is set to kick off soon, paving the way for a modern sporting hub in Mabvuku.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Alexio Nyakudya, Councilor for Mabvuku’s Ward 21 and a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), passionately praised Scottland Football Club for bringing this game-changing project to fruition. He urged the local community to rally together, putting aside political differences, and to embrace the development, which promises to uplift Mabvuku and provide lasting benefits for all.
The construction of the stadium aligns seamlessly with the government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), reflecting a commitment to advancing national infrastructure and fostering economic growth through sports and community development.
In a time when the nation grapples with the rising scourge of drug abuse among the youth, this timely intervention promises to offer a positive outlet, providing young people with an opportunity to engage in sports and stay away from illegal activities, helping them build a brighter future.
The Mabvuku community has been captivated by their local Member of Parliament, Pedzai Scott Sakupwanya, who, having won on a ZANU PF ticket, has become a driving force for development in the constituency. As the owner of Scottland Football Club, Sakupwanya has not only fulfilled his electoral promises but has also spearheaded various initiatives that continue to uplift Mabvuku, with the stadium project being a testament to his commitment to progress.
Tonde Sakupwanya, the club’s Chairperson, shared his enthusiasm about the upcoming start of the stadium’s construction, highlighting that the project would not only focus on football but also feature other sports, including swimming and cricket. This visionary development aims to create a wealth of employment opportunities, contributing significantly to the growth and prosperity of the Mabvuku community.
As part of the comprehensive development, food courts will also be integrated into the project, providing valuable opportunities for local vendors to thrive and contribute to the vibrant community atmosphere surrounding the stadium.
Mike Dengwane of Ecobank expressed confidence that the partnership with Scottland Football Club would extend well into the future, underscoring the bank’s commitment to supporting the club’s growth and the broader community development through this landmark project.
Ecobank is eager to forge a long-term partnership with Scottland Football Club, with both parties committed to working together as partners in the construction of the stadium, ensuring lasting benefits for the community and the club’s future.
Scottland’s ambitious venture mirrors similar initiatives by Prophet Walter Magaya, who has been instrumental in building the Heart Stadium in Waterfalls and the Chahwanda Stadium (Heart Main Arena), currently under construction in Kwekwe, further contributing to the development of sports infrastructure in Zimbabwe.
The involvement of private players in development projects, as demonstrated by Scottland Football Club and others, is a commendable initiative that sets a positive example for other stakeholders to follow, fostering collaboration and accelerating national development through private-public partnerships.
The nation eagerly anticipates the completion of the state-of-the-art stadium, which promises to be a game-changer for local sports, providing a modern facility that will inspire future generations of athletes and bring lasting benefits to the community.
