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Zimpapers Sports Hub
GOVERNMENT has highlighted that the refurbishment of the National Sports Stadium to meet the Caf standards is at an advanced stage in what should provide immense relief to millions of the country’s football fans.
It will also provide relief to the country’s footballers who have been forced to play their home matches on foreign soil while playing for the national teams or their clubs who take part in the Caf inter-club tournaments.
The next round of matches for the Warriors, the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, are set for March next year.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere said:
“Cabinet considered and approved the Proposals on Private Sector Participation in the Development, Refurbishment, Upgrade, Repair and Maintenance of the country’s Sports Stadia, which was presented by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Eng Daniel Garwe.
“Cabinet approved strategies aimed at developing, refurbishing, upgrading, repairing and maintaining the country’s sports stadia, which include leveraging on Built-Operate and Transfer Model; Government’s commitment to guarantee land in support of the utilisation of the International Federation of Football Association (Fifa) Forward 2.0 Funding Initiative; Government Private Sector Funded projects; and Grassroots Sporting Facilities Development as well as allowing sports clubs to establish their own stadia.
“Priority will be given to the construction of a New Stadium in the New City, at Mt Hampden, and refurbishment of existing stadia namely Dzivarasekwa, Gwanzura and Mabvuku in Harare; Barbourfields, Luveve and White City in Bulawayo; Ascot in Gweru and Chipadze in Bindura.
“Government intends to replicate similar strategies in the refurbishment of stadia in other cities and towns throughout the country.
“Cabinet wishes to highlight that refurbishment of the National Sports Stadium in Harare to Confederation of African Federation (Caf) approved standards is at an advanced stage of completion.”
Meanwhile, the importation of a customised moulder by a local firm, Okima Plastics, is set to ensure significant progress in the refurbishment of stadia in the country.
Okima Plastics yesterday delivered the first standard consignment of the seats which was unveiled at Rufaro Stadium to coincide with the second phase of that stadium’s redevelopment.
The 6 000 pieces are set to be installed in the entire Western grandstand, including the VIP enclosure, in the coming weeks.
The remaining 16 500 seats will be manufactured by the same company and installed at the facility before the start of next season.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume said the installation will be completed by March and the stadium capacity will go down from about 25 000 to 22 500.
“We are working with Okima and we will work with many others in different fields to make sure the project’s renovation goes according to plan.
“We do hope by the time we complete the renovations, the stadium will be ready for both local and international football.”
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