National Sports Stadium
The National Sports Stadium which is located in the "Sunshine City" Harare is Zimbabwe's biggest stadium. The Stadium was constructed with the aid of the Chinese government in 1987 and has a carrying capacity of 60 000.[1] It is located 7 km west of Harare's Central Business District near the Warren Park suburb just adjacent the National Heroes Acre.[2]
Description
The stadium is the the biggest in Zimbabwe with a carrying capacity of 60 000. It has 31 bays which accommodate the spectators. The Stadium is located on 17 hectares of hilly land between the Warren Park and Belvedere suburbs of Harare. The VIP section of the Stadium accommodates 240 people.[2]
Sports Fields
The Grass Football Pitch is 104 metres by 69 metres. There are also removable posts in both the main arena and the B Arena in the football, Volleyball, Netball and the Tennis Courts. The tartan surface which surrounds the two main football arenas are used for athletics. The stadium has also been used for other sporting activities such as long jump, discuss, javelin, hammer throw, tripple jump and short put.[3]
In 2007, the Stadium was temporarily closed for renovations after engineers observed some cracks on one the bays. The Chinese government helped in the renovations and the stadium was reopened in 2010 and the Vice President Joice Mujuru officiated the official handover ceremony which took place at the stadium.[3]
Some Major Events
The Stadium has hosted a number of local, regional and international activities in the social, political and religious facets. Besides being used as the home ground for football teams like Dynamos Football Club and Caps United Football Club, the stadium has also been used as the home ground by the national soccer teams popularly known as the warriors. In 2013 and 2014 respectively, Emmanuel Makandiwa of the UFIC Church hosted the annual Catch the Fire concert in the giant stadium and it was filled to capacity. The historic Akon and Sean Paul music show was also held in the stadium in 2011. The swearing in ceremony of Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front) in August 2013 was also held at the National Sports Stadium after the July harmonised elections.
Features
- Offices
- Technical Equipment Rooms
- Changing Rooms
- Showers
- Accreditation Hall
- Public Address System
- Electronic Scoreboard
- Electronic Timing
- Television and Broadcasting Rooms
- Floodlights[2]
References
- ↑ , Stadiums In Zimbabwe, retrieved:28 Jul 2014"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 , Facilities, "Sports and Recreation Commission", retrieved:28 Jul 2014"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 , Chinese gov't hands over stadium to Zimbabwe, "China Daily", published:11 Apr 2010,retrieved:"
