The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
MUTARE food manufacturing and packaging concern, Mega Market, has come to the rescue of City of Mutare in the renovations of Sakubva Stadium after a pledge to refurbish the VIP section.
Mega Market will assist in the construction of a trendy VIP section that will house a media booth inside the match venue.
Even though he could not reveal the costs involved, Mutare City Council Town Clerk Joshua Maligwa told the media on the sidelines of a tour of the stadium by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport that Mega Market had offered to help in the renovation of the VIP section.
“They have pledged to assist in the construction of the VIP section. We hope that by the time games start, all will be in place,” said Maligwa.
He said the local authority is impressed with the work carried out at Sakubva Stadium so far.
He implored Government and more private players to chip in to ensure that renovations are completed in time.
“We have done the perimeter fence as well as the precast wall. We have also been working on the changing rooms, the doping rooms and the referees’ rooms as well as the conference centre,” he said.
The turf at Sakubva Stadium is now looking much better. However, the drainage still needs to be worked on.
Maligwa said they are working flat out to meet the standards set for them by domestic football authorities.
“We are doing everything to meet the Zifa and PSL standards. These are the guidelines that we have been working with. However, for the Caf or international Fifa standards, we are miles away. That will need Government intervention,” he said.
People in Manicaland are anxiously looking forward to the return of top-flight football action at Sakubva Stadium following the stadium’s ban three years ago.
With Manica Diamonds in the Castle Lager Premiership League and new boys Tenax FC also getting promoted at the end of last season, Sakubva Stadium is expected to finally host the first ever local derby for Manicaland pitting the two teams.
Before Tenax FC’s recent promotion, Manicaland has never had two teams in the Premiership during the same season post-independence.
