In 1936, hockey legend Dhyanchand dominated at the Berlin Olympics against Hitler’s Germany, while Australia recovered from the Bodyline series against England. In a separate corner, under British Generals’ watchful eyes, Harare Sports Club emerged, set to become a multi-sporting hub.
In the heart of Harare, a historic sporting venue is set to take center stage once again as Zimbabwe prepares to host the highly anticipated 2027 World Cup. Harare Sports Club, nestled amidst the beauty of jacaranda trees and colonial architecture, has a rich cricketing legacy that spans over a century. With the upcoming introduction of floodlights for the AfroZim T10 tournament, the club’s allure is set to grow even stronger.
In a delightful twist, Harare Sports Club’s charm extends beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. Centurion Bar Grill, an outlet within the club, boasts a unique Indian connection that captivates visitors. The establishment’s financial wiz and partner, Lance Nettleton, proudly shares his family’s legacy of serving the Nizams of Hyderabad, while Jax Nettleton, another partner, started as a waitress and climbed the ladder of success with sheer determination.
“I have had a hard time taking orders from Aussie players, who were rather friendly but cheeky at the same time. Probe further and she reveals the friendly Aussies spin wizard Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds. “It wasn’t me alone but my best friend Carly Houghton has seen best days”. Carly is Dave Houghton’s (current head coach of Zimbabwe cricket) daughter who now lives in England. The current Karaoke host – admits when the Indian team descends for the world cup “Pandemonium will reign supreme”. Now the club lives in the shadow of arguably the oldest structure for cricket fans.
Rtd Col Vineet Saxena, a member of the Indian diaspora, expresses his excitement to witness the 2027 World Cup from the intimate confines of the Centurion Bar Grill, offering fans an experience as close to the boundary line as possible.
Initially known as Salisbury Sports Club when founded in 1900, has emerged as the pride of Zimbabwean cricket. In 1982, following the country’s independence, it was renamed Harare Sports Club, symbolizing the new era of Zimba