Addressing the Sport, Tourism, Image and Communication Taskforce (STIC) on Wednesday, Mushohwe said work on repairing some airports and improving telecommunications in the area was already underway to help the town become more accessible to South Africa.
Masvingo town, which lies some 290 kilometres south-west of the capital Harare, is home to one of the world's man-made wonders, the majestic Great Zimbabwe Monument, and the scenic Lake Mutirikwi. It also teems with flora and fauna which tourists find attractive.
"The city of Polokwane in South Africa has already identified Masvingo town as a favourable venue for some of its footballing guests during preparations for the final games," the minister said.
"As such, the Civil Aviation Authority has already started resuscitating some of its airports' operational systems like air traffic control, fire and rescue and security," adding that maintenance work was expected to be completed soon.
He said construction work for new towers for base stations to cover the Gonarezhou National Park, which is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), would commence on March 1, 2007.
"The deployment of base stations will be completed by the end of this year,' he said.
Mobile phone giant NetOne was also finalising key strategies for mobilising foreign exchange resources to facilitate network expansion.
"It is hoped that these strategies will be presented for consideration by mid next month to allow for quick implementation of selected or agreed strategies," he said.
The GLTP, which aims at promoting tourism and regional integration, was established in 2001 and straddles Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique.
It is the world biggest wildlife sanctuary covering some 35 000 square kilometres that incorporate Mozambique's Limpopo, South Africa's Kruger and the Gonarezhou national parks.
Secretary for Information and Publicity George Charamba, who is also STIC chairman, presided over the meeting.
Education, Sports and Culture Minister Aeneas Chigwedere and his Transport and Communications and Local Government counterparts Mushohwe and Ignatius Chombo, respectively, attended the gathering.
STIC was launched last year to help the country fully benefit from the hosting of the 2010 soccer World Cup in South Africa.
It includes members from government and the private sector. ' New Ziana.
