Sport in Zimbabwe

Football is the most popular sport, although rugby union, cricket, tennis, golf, and netball also have a following, traditionally among the middle class and the white minority.

Despite this the country has long punched above its weight, with international success in cricket, tennis, rugby union, field hockey, and swimming among other sports.

Much of this can be attributed to the country's historically strong sporting and educational culture as well as an attractive climate that encourages outdoor pursuits.

However, issues of corruption, mismanagement, emigration and a decline in funding led to a series of poor performances in Test cricket into the past decade.

Field hockey has the second biggest player base in the country after football, equally split among genders and a strong youth foundation in many schools.

[1] While the country had a tradition in the sport, with the women's team being gold medallist of the inaugural Olympic tournament in Moscow 1980, they struggled in recent times largely due to their inability to participate in international competitions organized by the African Hockey Federation (AfHF) and the International Hockey Federation (FIH), until the Khumalo Hockey Stadium was refurbished and played host to the 2011 African Olympic Qualifier.

Dynamos F.C has the most league wins followed by their arch rivals Highlanders FC whom they play against in the Zimbabwe Derby.

Another well known Zimbabwean footballer is Bruce Grobbelaar, a goalkeeper, who played for the national team, but most notably for Liverpool F.C.

Rugby union is a significant sport in Zimbabwe, dating back to the late 19th century.

Zimbabwe has a long history in the sport with highlights provided by greats such as Nick Price, Brendon de Jonge, Mark McNulty and Tony Johnstone.

[4] The decrease in Polocrosse players is due primarily to the Zimbabwean diaspora, and on-going economic and political crisis in the country.