Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
Zimpapers Sports Hub
GOVERNMENT Special Advisor to the President responsible for monitoring and implementation of Government Programmes, Jorum Gumbo, has expressed satisfaction with the ongoing refurbishment of the National Sports Stadium but stressed that more work is required to meet the required international standards.
The government, keen to see Zimbabwe hosting international football matches at the National Sports Stadium, has ramped up work on the country’s biggest sporting facility.
There is hope and expectations that the stadium could re-open its doors for football in September when the Warriors’ World Cup qualifying assignments resume.
And speaking after a tour of the facility yesterday, Gumbo commended contractors for visible progress while acknowledging areas still needing improvement.
“I am very impressed by the development I have seen here today at the National Sports Stadium, although it is not yet at the level we expect.
“The progress we have seen from the contracted people here is commendable. If you have been here before, you can see there is change, but there are still some grey areas which they are still working on,’’ Gumbo said.
Admitting that some challenges still, persist, Gumbo assured the nation that the government would intervene to expedite resolutions.
“There are challenges which we now know, but we will see what we can do to assist and ensure that these challenges are addressed in a very short time,” he added.
Gumbo said sports infrastructure was important in empowering the youth and athletes, noting that the stadium’s completion would unlock opportunities for Zimbabwean talent.
“It’s very important as a country to acknowledge that sport is a profession now, and many people are earning a living from it.
“What the ministry is doing here will go a long way in uplifting the youths. The construction of this stadium will provide opportunities for all talented individuals to earn a living.”
The National Sports Stadium renovation is a flagship project aimed at modernising Zimbabwe’s sports facilities and positioning the country to host international events and Gumbo stressed the need for faster progress in its refurbishment.
Gumbo was accompanied on the tour by the Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Anselem Sanyatwe.
Sanyatwe has also been insisting on high-quality work within the shortest possible time frame on his inspection visits to the stadium.
The government’s renewed focus on the stadium’s refurbishment comes amid growing calls for improved sports infrastructure to revive Zimbabwe’s standing in regional and international competitions.
