The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has approached the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) seeking permission to use the National Sports Stadium (NSS).
The PSL intends to stage midweek fixtures but there are concerns that the stadiums currently in use may be over-used.
NSS was closed in June this year due to the deteriorating state of the playing pitch, and water reticulation system challenges.
At the time, a total of eight teams were using the National Sports Stadium for their home matches and the closure of the facility forced the clubs to look for other home venues outside Harare.
PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/sport/article/200016284/psl-approaches-src-over-nss">NewsDay</a> that they are seeking permission to use the stadium after it recently hosted a number of national and private events, including two football matches.
NSS hosted the ZDF Cup final match featuring the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Select against Malawi on 15 August, and the Presidential Inauguration Cup on 04 September. Said Ndebele:
<blockquote>
We have written to the SRC to check on the availability of the National Sports Stadium given that it has hosted some events in recent times. We are hoping that we will get a positive response.
With the stadia that are available, we have a challenge of having mid-week fixtures because the facilities will be over-used.
If we can get either the National Sports Stadium or Rufaro Stadium or even both, then that will be perfect.
We are happy that we now have an approved facility in Chisumbanje (Green Fuel Arena) but due to its location, it does not alleviate the problem of Barbourfields and Bata stadiums.
</blockquote>
Bata Stadium, located in Gweru, Midlands Province, serves as the home venue for Sheasham, CAPS United and Black Rhinos.
Dynamos are now hosting their matches at Barbourfields Stadium, the home of arch-rivals, Highlanders.
Cranborne Bullets and ZPC Kariba use Nyamhunga Stadium in Kariba while Herentals College and FC Platinum are using Mandava Stadium.
Simba Bhora and Ngezi Platinum Stars use Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro while Mutare-based Manica Diamonds and Triangle United use Gibbo Stadium in Triangle.
Hwange use the Colliery Stadium in Hwange, Chicken Inn and Bulawayo Chiefs use Luveve Stadium, while Greenfuel use the Greenfuel Arena which was recently homologated.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

PSL Approaches SRC Over National Sports Stadium

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) said the commencement of the 2023 season on 18 March will not be negatively affected by the unavailability of stadiums that are either condemned or under renovation.
The Colliery Stadium in Hwange, Ascot Stadium in Gweru, Simba Bhora’s Shamva home ground, Vengere Stadium in Rusape, Sakubva in Mutare, Nyamhunga Stadium in Kariba, Green Fuel’s home ground in Chisumbanje have failed to meet requirements to host topflight matches.
This means that several teams will play their 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League opening games at alternative venues.
PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said that they hope to see stadiums that the stadiums will be ready when the season starts. He said:
<blockquote>
We will play our games as scheduled. Our hope is that those facilities that are going through work will be completed before the next round of stadium inspections.
Otherwise, we’re good to go and clubs are encouraged to make sure that they complete the registration of their players by Friday, March 17.
</blockquote>
In Harare, the National Sports Stadium is the only venue cleared for PSL games.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Stadium Crisis: PSL Matches To Be Played As Scheduled

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has deemed Sakubva Stadium in Mutare unfit to host Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches due to the poor state of the turf.
The <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/sakubva-stadium-condemned-again/">Manica Post</a> reports that a ZIFA grounds inspection team, under the First Instance Body banner, comprising ZIFA chief operations officer, Xolisani Gwesela, ZIFA technical director, Wilson Mukede and Premier Soccer League man in charge of competitions, Elisha Mandireva were in Mutare to inspect Sakubva Stadium ahead of the start of the 2023 PSL season.
In 2022, Sakubva Stadium was condemned towards the season halfway mark after it had deteriorated to unacceptable standards due to overuse.
City of Mutare spokesperson, Spren Mutiwi, said he was unaware that ZIFA had condemned the stadium again. He said:
<blockquote>
We are not aware that the grounds inspection committee from ZIFA was here. We are not even aware of their decision to condemn the match venue.
We have a plan to replace the turf and I am sure the process is at an advanced stage even though I might need to get finer details on the work covered so far in that regard.
</blockquote>
Manica Diamonds chairman, Masimba Chihowa, expressed concern over the latest development, saying the club cannot afford to host home matches in Harare or Triangle. Said Chihowa:
<blockquote>
We are worried, shuttered and devastated that the stadium cannot be used after the condemnation by the grounds inspection committee.
What is of great concern for us is that the stadium was condemned because of overuse when Manica Diamonds, the only Premiership club in Mutare, has never had a training session at Sakubva Stadium in recent months.
As a team, we are worried about which match venue shall we register as our home ground ahead of the start of the season.
We had not factored in any budget relating to travelling outside the city for our home matches.
If you look at the options available, it be very costly for the team. Travelling more than 300km to Triangle or Harare is not within our budget.
We just hope and pray that something will be done to restore the good quality of the turf before the start of the season.
</blockquote>
The 2023 Castle Lager Premiership season commences next month.

Sakubva Stadium Condemned, Again

The City of Bulawayo says it will channel US$5 523 920 towards upgrading its three stadiums so that they meet international standards.
This was revealed by Bulawayo City Council (BCC) chairperson of the finance committee Tawanda Ruzive while presenting the US$157 99 million 2023 proposed revenue budget. He said:
<blockquote>
A total of US$5 523 920 has been set aside to spruce up the three stadia. This is a work in progress towards meeting the international standards that will enable the city to enjoy international games.
These facilities benefit the communities and offer places of association, entertainment, and relaxation after hours and on weekends.
</blockquote>
BCC owns three major stadiums namely Barbourfields, White City and Luveve.
It also runs numerous football pitches, tennis courts and basketball grounds located in the wards.
The local authority also proposed to set aside US$106 million to fund key infrastructure projects that include the construction of classroom blocks, clinics, servicing of residential stands and construction of roads.
US$903 300 will be availed for the youths, for the provision of vocational training in farming, metal work, bricklaying, cookery, catering, motor mechanics, metalwork, dressmaking and fine arts.
The budget is, however, subject to approval by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. | <a href="https://newziana.co.zw/2022/11/02/bulawayo-to-spend-over-us5-million-to-spruce-up-stadiums/">New Ziana</a>

Bulawayo Council To Spend Over US$5 Million To Upgrade Stadiums

City of Harare’s mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume, has expressed concern over the state of sporting facilities in the capital, with most of them in a sorry state.
Harare City Council owns several sporting facilities that include Rufaro Stadium, Gwanzura Stadium, the City Sports Centre, swimming pools, halls and other grounds which are all in need of urgent attention.
Addressing an Education, Health, Housing and Community Services and Licensing meeting, Mafume said the state of stadia and poor customer care impact negatively the local authority economy. He said:
<blockquote>
We need to be serious as council and do the basics. Let us give a service that we parrot about and not just watch things collapse in the manner it has happened.
We are a city that must lead but with poor customer care, we scare away those giving us business.
Surely, we can do better than this. For now, let us not worry about world-class city status but worry about fixing these fundamentals.
</blockquote>

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