THE construction of a national sports academy in Bindura has received a major boost after the approval of a US$50 million grant by Afreximbank.
The academy, a flagship project aimed at developing Olympic-standard sports infrastructure and elite athletes, has been on the cards for nearly a decade, but has faced significant funding challenges until now.
Professor Eddie Mwenje, Vice Chancellor of the Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), hailed the development as a game-changer.
“We are happy to say that infrastructure development has received some impetus this particular year from our ministry through the application of a grant through Afreximbank that will see the construction of a stadium. That proposal is with the treasury at the moment to ensure that it is done. As you are well aware, Olympic-size standard facilities are rare in the country, and this is why the NSA is important and that’s why this fund, which brings over US$30 million will be so significant,” he said.
The academy will house multiple disciplines and employ professional coaches, while aiming to align its infrastructure with Olympic specifications, making it a regional hub for high-performance sports.
Despite limited facilities over the years, the NSA has already produced remarkable talent. These include David Nyamufarira, the reigning Junior Sportsperson of the Year, and 200m Olympian Tapiwa Makarawu.
“The NSA has really helped us to get on top of our fame, and we have been representing the country locally and regionally. We recently participated in the ZTISU games where we scooped medals,” Shotput Athlete (NSA), Wayne Nkomo said.
The Bindura University basketball team and several track and field athletes from the academy continue to shine at national and regional levels.
With President Emmerson Mnangagwa as its official patron, the National Sports Academy is set to reposition Zimbabwe on the global sporting map by combining modern facilities, scientific training, and talent identification programmes.
Once complete, the facility is expected to serve as a national centre of excellence, nurturing elite athletes across disciplines and helping Zimbabwe achieve podium finishes on the continental and global stage.
