Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
CHICKEN Inn and Bulawayo Chiefs have taken the first major step towards bringing Premier Soccer League football back to Luveve Stadium after jointly donating towards the urgent refurbishment of the facility.
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) confirmed that the two clubs made a commitment to rehabilitate the Stadium following its dehomologation earlier this year.
The council which approved the proposal by the clubs to work on the stadium, said the rehabilitation works would address concerns raised by football authorities and pave the way for the stadium to regain its PSL approval.
“Council acceded to your request to rehabilitate the stadium as this will address the security concerns raised by football authorities,” reads part of the council letter to the clubs.
Council said the proposed rehabilitative works will enable the facility to be re-homologated.
“Your timely donation is acknowledged and appreciated.”
Council also said the donation would be formally reported in line with its policy framework before authorities respond to a request by the clubs to play four home matches for free once the venue is cleared for use again.
Luveve Stadium lost its PSL approval in March after failing to meet standards required by football authorities, forcing Bulawayo’s three top-flight clubs, Highlanders, Chicken Inn and Bulawayo Chiefs, to use Barbourfields Stadium for home matches.
The dehomologation immediately created logistical headaches for football in the city, with concerns raised over fixture congestion, pitch maintenance and mounting operational costs.
Barbourfields has since become the only approved venue for PSL football in Bulawayo, placing enormous pressure on the stadium.
The intervention by Chiefs and Chicken Inn is likely to be welcomed by many local football stakeholders who have repeatedly called for urgent attention to Luveve Stadium.
The latest development now offers hope that top-flight football could soon return to Luveve, restoring life to a venue that has long been viewed as a vital community sporting hub.
While timelines for the completion of the rehabilitation works remain unclear, the move by Chiefs and Chicken Inn could prove crucial in rescuing one of Bulawayo’s treasured football grounds from further decline.
The authorities identified several critical shortcomings at Luveve Stadium that the Bulawayo City Council must address before the stadium can be homologated again.
These included the playing surface which requires significant improvements.
Changing rooms and dressing rooms need to be expanded, and dedicated doping control facilities must be constructed. The venue lacks a compliant, secure tunnel for players to access the pitch.
Existing turnstiles and cashiers’ cubicles are outdated and require replacement.
The stadium also requires an upgraded perimeter fence for better crowd segregation.
derick.khumalo