Nakamba’s project takes off ground

Sport
The complex will be run by the Marvelous Nakamba Foundation (MNF) whose mission is to make a lasting difference and impact positively on disadvantaged children and young people through sports, education and opportunities within marginalised communities in Zimbabwe.

BY FORTUNE MBELE WORK has started at the envisaged state-of-the-art Marvelous Nakamba Sports Complex in Mahatshula, Bulawayo, where the Warriors and Aston Villa player intends to construct sporting facilities for five disciplines as he ploughs back to the community which raised him.

Nakamba was offered 5,1 hectares of land in the surbub by the Bulawayo City Council in 2020 to construct the sports facilities.

The complex will be run by the Marvelous Nakamba Foundation (MNF) whose mission is to make a lasting difference and impact positively on disadvantaged children and young people through sports, education and opportunities within marginalised communities in Zimbabwe.

The foundation pays school fees for more than 1 000 children in 21 schools throughout the country.

Nakamba, who is in the country and will this weekend host a juniors’ football tournament at White City Stadium, is happy with progress at his sports complex which will house football fields, tennis and basketball courts, a volleyball pitch, swimming pool and changing rooms and ablution services.

“I am excited that finally we get to action plans that have been on pen and paper for a long time, much credit goes to the Bulawayo City Council for the support and encouragement that has led us to this precious moment. It has always been my dream to have a state-of-the-art facility that our youngsters will enjoy to use, something that we didn’t grow up having.  It’s high time we give back to the community,” Nakamba said.

In a statement, the MNF said: “We are pleased to announce that phase one of the development of the Marvelous Nakamba Sports Complex has begun. This is the phase of clearing of the land to make way for development. We have deployed earthmoving machines to ensure thorough and correct way of land clearing and preparation. This is in line with the development of a multi-purpose complex that will have football fields, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball pitch, swimming pool, changing rooms, sitting area, ablutions and a parking area. Among the structures will be two buildings which will house administration offices, restaurant, gymnasium, conference centre, medical bay and a diner.”

  • Follow Fortune on Twitter@fmbele