Clive Thabo Dube
With a few months left before the soccer season kicks off for 2023, former Zimbabwe national U17 girls coach Garthly Chipuka and Ngezi Platinum Stars goalkeepers trainer Cosmas ‘Tsano’ Zulu have called on government and local authorities to take the issue of dilapidated stadiums seriously as the country now lags behind other countries in the region in terms of sporting facilities.
“It was once the Maracanã
of Zimbabwe, our San Siro and Wembley but at the end of the day we went to sleep in infrastructure development. We had better stadiums than Zambia but that country has now overtaken us, they have state of the art stadiums…There is need for renovations because some of our infrastructure is ancient. At times we may need to start from scratch and build new stadiums,” said Garthly Chipuka who is heavily tipped to take over at Yadah FC.
Veteran coach Cosmas ‘Tsano’ Zulu who played and coached in facilities such as Rufaro Stadium and Barbour-fields in their hey- day called on all stakeholders to come together and restore the country’s sports facilities to their yesteryear standards.
“There is managerial bankruptcy which has led to the negligence of that Stadium for years now because money meant for sports is pushed towards projects which are none sport related.. it was (Rufaro) one of the best stadiums on the continent but now it is in bad state,” said the Ngezi Platinum goalkeeper coach.
“It is in bad state from dressing rooms and toilets. Everything is just not in the state in which a facility with a rich history like Rufaro should be in.” He added.
The Sports and Recreational (SRC) spokesperson Eltah Nengomasha speaking to Zim GBC News said government is currently seized with the arresting of the decay of sporting facility in the country such as Rufaro Stadium.
“We are currently doing engagements with relevant owners, we will update when everything is in place.” SRC Spokesperson Eltah Nengomasha said.
Efforts to get comment from Harare City Council were fruitless as they had not replied at the time of going to press.
LIST OF STADIUMS NEEDING ATTENTION IN THE COUNTRY
- Rufaro stadium, this facility hosted Zimbabwe’s Independence celebrations in 1980. It also was the home-ground of the Zimbabwe national soccer team “The Warriors”, Zimbabwe’s most successful football club Dynamos also called it home for decades. It has not been approved by the ZIFA for nearly five (5) years.
2.Magamba Hockey Stadium, this facility was built together with Khumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo for the 1995 All African Games that Zimbabwe hosted. It has been out of commission for nearly two decades.
3.Gwanzura Stadium, this Harare stadium just like Rufaro Stadium has been out of commission for nearly five (5) years. It was once home to the country’s third most popular soccer club CAPS United, it has also played host to some international matches both club and national team.
- Barbourfields. This stadium located in the country’s second largest city Bulawayo, may be in better shape than stadiums mentioned above but it still does not meet continental and international standards. It is also only allowed to host international junior team’s and woman football matches.
- Khumalo Hockey Stadium. Built in 1994 ahead of the All African Games that Zimbabwe hosted in 1995, this facility is currently operating at 50% capacity. This is due to the fact that government recently renovated its B Arena ahead of an international club event. However they are a lot of areas that need sprousing up.
STADIUMS IN RUINS
- Cam and Motor Stadium (Effial flats, Kadoma)
- Saint Paul Musamhi (Murewa)
- Mangura Stadium (Mangura)
- Torwood Stadium (Redcliff)
- Amaveni Stadium (Kwekwe)
- Pelandaba Stadium (Jahunda, Gwanda)
- Dulibadzimu Stadium (Beitbridge)
- Gathsmine Stadium (Mashava)
9.Mkoba Stadium (Gweru) - Maglass Stadium (Zvishavane)
- Sizinda Stadium (Bulawayo)
- Mpumalanga Stadium (Hwange)
- Njube grounds (Bulawayo)
- Dzivarasekwa Stadium (Harare)
- Dingumuzi Stadium (Plumtree)