Lovemore Kadzura
Sports Reporter
THE directive by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to all local authorities to set aside seven percent of their budgets to fund rehabilitation and maintenance of sporting infrastructure has been well received by residents and sports personalities in Manicaland.
In a circular released on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, John Basera said the decision was adopted by the Cabinet on December 3, 2024, and all councils must adhere to it.
“The Ministry issued Local Authorities Budget Circular No 1 of 2024, prescribing budget formulation guidelines to be followed by local authorities in casting their 2025 budgets. Cabinet in their 39th sitting of 3rd December 2024, resolved that local authorities allocate at least seven percent of their 2025 budgets towards refurbishment and maintenance of stadia and grassroots sporting facilities.
“By copy of this minute, you are guided to allocate seven percent of your 2025 budgets towards refurbishment and maintenance of stadia and grassroots sporting facilities within your respective council areas. Needless to mention that councils are to follow prescribed council processes for adoption of the budget adjustments,” reads Basera’s letter, addressed to town clerks and chief executive officers.
For a long time, councils have turned their backs on sporting and recreational facilities, leaving them to suffer from neglect and vandalism.
Sporting facilities such as stadia, country clubs, golf courses, multi-purpose courts, swimming pools, boating clubs among others, run by councils are in a sorry state.
Local authorities had neglected these facilities for too long, leaving sports lovers stranded, with some councils allocating residential stands on golf courses and recreational parks.
Former Sables player and Under-21 team manager, George ‘Super’ Frangoulis said the directive comes at the right time as this will help to make sport a business which should be taken seriously by all stakeholders.
He said sport must not be viewed as a past time activity, and standard facilities should be prioritised.
“It is a very progressive directive by the ministry to local authorities. Young children and youths must, not only have enough sporting and recreational facilities, but should be in good condition. Most councils had neglected sporting facilities for a long time.
“Sport is a multi-million-dollar business and it is the duty of local authorities to provide and maintain facilities to nurture and develop athletes. Facilities are there and they just need to be upgraded to be of better standard.
“There is also need to have proper management of these facilities so that they do not suffer neglect. Councils can also partner with the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Recreation to have qualified people to run these facilities and also have coaches to develop the athletes. Even in rural areas facilities must be available so that budding sports persons are given an opportunity to show their talent,” said Frangoulis.
Football fanatic, Edmore Madhume, applauded Government for the directive, saying councils had forgotten one of their key mandates of providing sporting and recreational facilities to residents and ratepayers.
“Local authorities were not taking sport seriously and it is good that Government has whipped them into line. These facilities are key in producing future sporting stars who will raise the country’s profile. Sporting facilities will help to ensure that youths remain occupied doing positive and healthy activities especially in this era of high drug abuse. Councils should be made aware that investing in sport is a key social service required by residents,” said Madhume.
