adminCletus Mushanawani News Editor
MINISTER of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Mandi Chimene, has bemoaned the poor state of Sakubva Stadium and has called on diamond mining companies to chip in and help in its renovations. Chimene’s calls come at a time when Mutare’s own home of top-flight league football is facing a ban from the Premier Soccer League because of its poor state, both on and outside the pitch.
Despite being a source of revenue to Mutare City Council, the city fathers appear to have not prioritised its renovations, leaving soccer fans in a fix as they may be forced to travel to Rusape to watch their home team Buffaloes playing there.
Every year, Sakubva Stadium is usually condemned by PSL. Besides playing host to PSL soccer matches, the stadium also hosts major events like Independence Day and Heroes’ Day celebrations where top Government officials will be in attendance.
With Manicaland being this year’s hosts of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games, Chimene, who is the games’ patron, has made a passionate appeal to diamond mining companies at Chiadzwa to intervene and help to spruce up the stadium’s image.
Speaking during a meeting at the PA’s Conference Room with diamond mining representatives on Monday, Chimene, said: “Look at Sakubva Stadium, it is in a sorry state.
“Everything at the stadium needs a revamp and with Manicaland hosting the Zimbabwe National Youth Games in August, the stadium will be the venue for the official and closing ceremony.
“We do not want to be left with egg on our face for hosting such a major event in a squalid facility like that.
“The turf is overgrown and the terraces are in a poor state, while I am told that the changing rooms are an eyesore.
“There is this section called the VIP stand, but there is nothing VIP there. The roof is ripping off and I don’t think any VIP would want to find a seat there.
“The Games might be in August, but I want to implore you diamond mining companies to seriously look into this issue and help us. You will win people’s hearts if you come up with tangible projects which they will be part and parcel of. The stadium serves a lot of people and if it is renovated the community will remember you forever. I don’t think it will cost so much in renovating the stadium,” she said.
Chimene said the Youth Games committee would soon have a tour of all sporting facilities in Mutare to have an appreciation of what is needed in renovating them.
“We are the diamond city and we should be seen sparkling. We will soon have a tour of all the sporting facilities in Mutare to have an appreciation of what is needed to spruce them up. We want to be the best hosts ever and we can only realise this dream if we work together as a team.
“Together we can move mountains and we should all remember that Manicaland is our home. No one will develop its facilities if we all fold our hands and watch from a distance. As mining companies, you can adopt some of our sporting facilities because this will also benefit future generations,” she said.
Chimene also called on the companies to help in clothing the participating athletes.
“This is our opportunity as a province to shine. We want our athletes to be immaculately dressed and intimidate all the visitors. A well-dressed person is also full of confidence.
“We want to send shivers down the spines of all our opponents through our exclusive designs. I am prepared to travel to China to have exclusive designs for uniforms for our athletes, but this requires sponsorship,” said Chimene.
Manicaland has since come up with a sports development committee which has various committees and management structures.
While Chimene is the patron, Provincial Administrator Fungai Mbetsa is the chairman. Other members of the supervisory committee include Edward Shumba, Theresa Mupanduki, Obert Muzawazi and Shupikai Berejena.
Mutare District Administrator Cosmas Chiringa is the chief executive officer of the local organising committee, while Zacharia Chikwangwani is the general manager.
Manicaland last hosted the Zimbabwe National Youth Games in 2005 and they were dubbed the best ever.
The province also produced its best performance ever when it settled for the third position during the games.
Online Reporter