HARARE — Parliament has raised concerns that some public sports facilities are increasingly being used for commercial activities, including bars, at the expense of sport, warning that the trend could undermine youth development and efforts to combat drug and substance abuse.
A report by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture said site visits to Queens Sports Club and Khumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo found that leases had been granted to entities whose primary businesses were commercial ventures.
“The Committee assessed the existing models for leasing sporting facilities. Site visits to Queens Sports Club and Khumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo revealed that leases were held by entities whose primary operations were commercial ventures, including the operation of bars.”
In a report seen by _Kukurigo Sport_ the committee said the leasing arrangements had shifted the focus away from sport.
“This had the effect of undermining the core purpose of the facilities, with sporting activities being relegated to a secondary function.”
Lawmakers said the findings were particularly worrying given the country’s campaign against drug and substance abuse.
“The Committee observed that this shift in usage occurred against the backdrop of national efforts to combat drug and substance abuse, yet some community facilities had increasingly become associated with the consumption of harmful substances.”
The report said sports facilities should remain community assets that promote recreation and healthy lifestyles.
“The Committee expressed concern that such spaces, which ought to be preserved for community benefit and the promotion of sport, were being misdirected from their intended purposes.”
It warned that failure to address the issue could have wider consequences.
“It was further noted that failure to address these challenges could have serious implications for the well-being of the youth and the integrity of the country’s sports sector.”
The committee recommended that the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works audit leases for public sports facilities, particularly Khumalo Stadium, to ensure they continue serving their intended purpose.
It called on the ministry to “conduct an immediate audit of all leases for all public sports facilities more so Khumalo Stadium, to ensure they serve their primary sporting purpose and do not prioritize commercial ventures that conflict with community and national interests.”
