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Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge
Beitbridge Town Council has started working towards upgrading Dulibadzimu Stadium in line with Premier Soccer League recommendations for the border town to host topflight matches. Dulibadzimu Stadium is home to PSL newcomers Border Strikers, who have been forced to play their home matches 300km away at Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane since their stadium was condemned.
Beitbridge town secretary Loud Ramakgapola yesterday said the PSL’s grounds inspection committee demanded that terraces at the stadium be increased to accommodate at least 5,000 people and the perimeter wall be raised to three metres.
“At the time of inspection, we had terraces that could accommodate between 3,000 and 3,500 people against a requirement of 5,000 by the PSL,” said Ramakgapola.
“In response to that we’ve started working on more terraces on the western side of the ground, which will carry around 2,500 and this will be completed in the first week of May.
“On the issue of raising the perimeter wall, we’ve engaged local businesses to install billboards that will ensure that no spectators watch matches for free. We’ve had a positive response on that front and by the 6th of May that will be sorted,” he said.
Ramakgapola said they had also competed upgrading the VIP section to house over 120 people, including members of the media.
Another fence behind the southern part of the stadium would also be installed to ensure no one gets close to the perimeter wall.
“We’ve received an overwhelming response from local businesses that are offering builders to speed up the civil works. You will note that we’ve attended to two thirds of the recommendations and we’re working flat out to ensure that we can bring PSL action to Beitbridge.
“We’ve acquired state-of-the-art scoreboards and are only awaiting delivery. Through the assistance of the Border Strikers’ board of trustees, we’ve paid for the installation of internet facilities and are ready to roll.”
Ramakgapola said they would make use of scaffold as is the norm at other stadia. More than six gates have also been created at the ground and the toilet flashing systems has been modernised, while work on female changing rooms would start soon.
Border Strikers’ spokesperson Raniel Ndou said playing at home would boost the team’s morale and reward their legion of fans that have stuck with the team since the team’s formative years.
“We pray that the PSL allows us to use Dulibadzimu Stadium as our home ground, as this will also help us raise revenue through gate takings to ensure the team remains viable,” said Ndou.
“Furthermore, playing in Beitbridge will also provide that much needed entertainment for the community, which is literally starved on that front.”
Online Reporter