from MELUSI MHLANGA in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Bureau
BULAWAYO, (CAJ News) – BULAWAYO is set to take centre stage on the global sporting calendar after being confirmed as the host city for the 2027 Street Child Cricket World Cup (SCCWC), a prestigious international tournament that is expected to deliver significant economic, tourism and branding benefits for the country’s second-largest city.
The announcement was made by Bulawayo Executive Mayor David Coltart, who also revealed that former Zimbabwe cricket captain and international coaching icon Andy Flower has been appointed as the city’s official ambassador for the event.
Flower will play a key role in promoting the tournament locally and internationally, as well as mobilising sponsorship and financial support.
“Andy Flower has agreed to be one of the ambassadors for the forthcoming Street Child Cricket World Cup which will be held in Bulawayo in 2027,” said Coltart.
“We discussed how we can publicise this event and mobilise sponsors and funding generally for it. It is a great honour for Bulawayo to have been awarded the right to host such an important global event.”
The Street Child Cricket World Cup was first launched in 2019, when it was staged in Cambridge and London in the United Kingdom (UK) alongside the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup.
Since then, the tournament has grown rapidly in scale, visibility and impact.
The second edition was held in Chennai, India, in 2023, attracting worldwide attention for its powerful social message and competitive cricket, with Zimbabwe finishing as runners-up.
The 2027 edition in Bulawayo will be the largest in the tournament’s history, with 20 teams of street-connected children expected to participate.
Countries represented will include the host Zimbabwe, India, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, Nepal, Uganda, Rwanda, Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Hungary and several others, bringing hundreds of players, officials, support staff, media personnel and supporters to the city.
While the tournament is not driven by traditional prize money, organisers say its true value lies in global exposure, sponsorship inflows and long-term socio-economic returns.
The event is expected to inject new life into Bulawayo’s tourism and hospitality sector, with hotels, resorts, lodges, backpackers and guesthouses anticipating strong occupancy levels throughout the tournament period.
Local restaurants, food suppliers and entertainment venues are also projected to benefit from increased demand, while transport operators — including taxis, ride-hailing services, shuttle providers and logistics companies — are expected to see a surge in business as teams and visitors move around the city.
Beyond immediate financial gains, city authorities believe the tournament will significantly enhance Bulawayo’s international profile, positioning it as a capable and attractive host for major sporting and cultural events.
The global media exposure associated with the SCCWC is expected to market the city aggressively to future investors, tourists and event organisers.
Coltart said preparations were already under way, with organisers scheduled to meet local cricket stakeholders, business leaders and school heads in the coming weeks to begin mobilisation efforts.
“With Andy Flower using his considerable international profile, particularly in the UK and India, this tournament presents a rare opportunity to showcase Bulawayo to the world while delivering meaningful economic and social impact for our people,” Coltart said.
The 2027 Street Child Cricket World Cup is widely seen as more than a sporting event — it is a platform for economic stimulation, global recognition and long-term urban renewal for Bulawayo.
– CAJ News