Sports Reporter
The National Sports Stadium refurbishment in Zimbabwe is facing significant delays due to slow fund disbursement from the government.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube revealed that only $3.8 million out of the projected $25.4 million has been disbursed so far. This lack of progress is causing distress among Zimbabwean football fans, who have been unable to watch their national teams play on home soil due to the stadium’s failure to meet international standards.
The stadium’s refurbishment is crucial, as Zimbabwe’s teams, including Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum, are forced to hire facilities in neighboring countries like Rwanda, South Africa, and Botswana to host international matches. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has banned Zimbabwean stadiums from hosting international matches due to their subpar conditions.
Breakdown of the Refurbishment Costs:
- Infrastructure Development: $17.5 million (refurbishment, security, and access control)
- Other Works: $7.9 million (palisade fencing, groundworks, and ancillary works)
- Total Budget: $25.4 million
Despite the allocated budget, Minister Ncube could not provide a timeline for the project’s completion, citing a lack of predictable implementation and cash flow planning. This uncertainty has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to completing the project.
The delay has significant implications for Zimbabwean football, affecting not only the national teams but also local clubs like Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum, which have to bear the costs of hiring foreign facilities.
Meanwhile a debate from Zimbabweans has quried the estimated budgetary figure stating that such an amount can build a whole new state of the art stadium.
Here are the pointers given by AI.
With $25 million, you can build a high-quality soccer stadium with modern amenities. The size and features would depend on various factors, including location, materials, and design. Here’s a rough estimate of what you could expect:
Stadium Size:
- Capacity: 10,000 to 20,000 seats
- Field size: FIFA-standard (105m x 68m)
Features:
- Professional-grade grass or artificial turf
- Modern locker rooms and dressing rooms
- State-of-the-art lighting and sound systems
- VIP suites and luxury boxes
- Media center and press box
- Concession stands and restaurants
- Parking facilities
- Security and access control systems
Amenities:
- Electronic scoreboard and video board
- Player tunnels and dugouts
- Medical facilities and physiotherapy rooms
- Fitness center and training facilities
- Conference and banquet rooms
Construction Materials:
- Steel or concrete structure
- Aluminum or PVC seating
- Glass or acrylic façades
- High-quality roofing materials
Location Considerations:
- Land acquisition costs (variable)
- Local labor and material costs (variable)
Examples of Similar Stadiums:
- Ghana’s Cape Coast Stadium (10,000 seats, $22 million)
- Kenya’s Kasarani Stadium (15,000 seats, $20 million)
- South Africa’s Royal Bafokeng Stadium (15,000 seats, $25 million)
Zim GBC Sports News©2024