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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
THE decision by Zifa to switch the Zimbabwe Warriors’ base from the capital to the second largest city, Bulawayo has been described by the Government as a positive step towards nationalising sport. Warriors coach Ian Dibango Gorowa led calls to shift the senior national team base from Rufaro or National Sports Stadium to Barbourfields Stadium saying the artificial turf at Rufaro Stadium exposes players to injuries while the giant National Sports Stadium has not been a good hunting ground for the boys of late.
Andrew Langa, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture told Chronicle Sports during a tour of the African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games facilities in the city last Thursday that the switch by the Warriors was inline with the Government’s commitment to spreading representative national teams’ games across the country.
“I really want to applaud Zifa and in particular the Warriors coach Gorowa for the decision to bring the senior national team games to Bulawayo. It will not only be in Bulawayo but even to other cities as well, we need to see the Warriors playing here and other cities as long as we have proper facilities which, as a ministry we are committed to ensuring,” said Langa.
Zimbabwe’s next international friendly, likely to be against neighbours Mozambique early next month, will be played at Barbourfields.
The match is part of the squad’s preparations for the 2014 African Nations Championship scheduled for South Africa.
Barbourfields Stadium will soon have its sitting capacity increased from 26 000 to close to 35 000 ahead of the 2014 African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Games that will be held in the city.
The senior national team last played at Barbourfields Stadium in 2009 in the Cosafa Castle Cup final.
Online Reporter