adminRaymond Jaravaza Sports Correspondent
THE Premier Soccer League has been invited to inspect upgrades at Dulibadzimu Stadium in Beitbridge to see if it now meets requirements to host topflight matches.
Dulibadzimu Stadium was condemned and banned from staging any Castle Lager PSL match and Beitbridge side Border Strikers have been forced to play their home games at Maglas Stadium in Zvishavane.
This has seen the team losing revenue through gate takings, as they hardly command a following away from their base in Beitbridge.
Under PSL rules and regulations, for a stadium to host topflight matches, it must have a seating capacity of 5,000 spectators with a VIP stand that seats not less than 50 people; an anti- doping room; dressing rooms; a public address system; a well equipped first aid room and Internet facilities, among other requirements.
Beitbridge Town Council, owners of Dulibadzimu Stadium, embarked on renovations to bring the facility in line with PSL requirements.
Town council secretary Loud Ramakgapola wrote to PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele updating him on the progress and inviting the inspection team.
“We have completed Phase 1 and 2 on terracing and are working on Phase 3 and 4, which if complete will manage the required capacity of 5,000 spectators. The VIP stand is now complete with 100 bucket seats and the media stand will be accommodated under the VIP stand,” wrote Ramakgapola.
He said Internet facilities had been installed and paid for while a mobile public address system will be used.
“The pitch is being ‘moved’ by at least two metres from the current position as per PSL requirements and our engineering department is working on a plan to relook at the size of the dressing rooms with a view to increasing them, while shower cubicles have been attended to.
“By (the) week beginning 6 June 2016, the stadium should be ready for inspection. We will do the final touch ups and cleaning between 6 and 8 June 2016. We request your inspection team to possibly be available on 9 or 10 June 2016.”
Ndebele acknowledged receipt of the letter and said he would liaise with the Zifa grounds committee before a decision is made on when a team can go to Beitbridge to inspect the stadium.
Online Reporter