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Sports Reporter
PREMIERSHIP newboys Mushowani Stars could play their home matches at Trojan in Bindura soon after a company agreed to renovate the stadium to bring top-flight football to Mashonaland Central. A similar initiative has also been mooted for Ascot, with another firm set to give the Gweru stadium a facelift in the next few weeks, while work will also be done at Sakubva in Mutare.
PSL chairman Farai Jere and acting Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, were in Bindura yesterday to put the final touches to the deal for the renovation of Trojan Mine stadium.
Kazembe is also the Zanu-PF provincial chairman for Mashonaland Central.
It is believed NetOne, who have become a leading partner of domestic football in the past two years since Lazarus Muchenje took over as the chief executive of the company, will spearhead the renovation of Trojan Stadium.
However, no comment could be established from the company last night. Jere, the PSL chairman, said he was excited about the new developments.
“The idea of having the PSL is not all about having matches in the main cities, as appears to be case right now because of the challenges facing a number of stadiums in the country, but to have the game played around the country,’’ said Jere.
“The PSL belongs to every corner of the country, to all the cities, the small towns and the provinces.
“That is the only way we can develop football, the participations of as many people as possible, rather than just confining it to Harare, Bulawayo and Zvishavane.
“Right now, Gweru, one of our biggest cities does not have a stadium that can host a Premiership match and that’s being unfair to the people of that city because they deserve a chance to watch the PSL matches in their backyard.
“That is why, working hand-in-hand with the acting Minister of Sport, we have started with Trojan Mine and we will be moving into other areas and I can assure you that it’s not business as usual, anymore, and you will see a major difference.’’
Jere said the sponsors who have been coming on board the PSL deserve better and also want to see their brands being exposed to other people and not only in the country’s major cities.
“We have seen a huge appetite from corporate partners who want to be part of the PSL, a few days ago we tied a big deal with Fidelity and then NetOne came on board with their landmark deals for the clubs and soon we will be announcing further partners and even tournaments,’’ said Jere.
“The PSL is moving forward but we can’t let it be a game that is only played at Rufaro, National Sports Stadium, Barbourfields, Mandava and Gibbo.
“Those people in Bindura have been waiting for a long time to watch Dynamos, CAPS United, FC Platinum and Highlanders on their doorsteps and now they have a team in the PSL and deserve to have these games played in their town.
“The same is also true for the people of Gweru and the people of Mutare.’’
Online Reporter