NetOne sets up World Cup fan parks

Fan parks are enclosed public viewing areas where live matches will be shown on big screen TVs.

The network's MD, Reward Kangai, said a total of 16 sites would have fan parks, equipped with big screen television sets to afford communal viewing of the soccer showcase which is being held for the first time on the continent.

In Harare, the fan park has been launched in the Harare Gardens, an exquisite park that has hosted a number of entertainment events, and is home to the annual Zimbabwe International Book Fair.

Urban, rural regions covered

More parks are being set up in major urban areas including Gweru, Bulawayo, Chitungwiza, Victoria Falls, Kwekwe, Masvingo and Mutare.

Rural areas that will benefit from the establishment of the fan parks are Murambinda, Nzvimbo, Murombedzi, Murehwa, Lupane, Gwanda, Gokwe and Mupandawana.

While NetOne's 16 sites for the fan parks is representative of the country's provincial demarcations, it will by far not cover all areas where soccer fans will desperately want to watch live coverage of the historic soccer tournament.

Government was expected to set up at least 40 World Cup fan parks but is unlikely to manage due to cash constraints.