Mutare’s loss, Rusape’s gains

26 Aug, 2022 - 00:08 0 Views
Mutare’s loss, Rusape’s gains Rusape Town Council says it has no resources for further upgrades on Vengere Stadium to meet minimum Premier Soccer League requirements

The ManicaPost

 

Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent

 

RUSAPE Town Council’s excellent work in maintaining and upgrading Vengere Stadium to meet Premier Soccer League minimum requirements has led to booming business opportunities in the town.

Vengere Stadium has been the most reliable football venue deemed fit to host top-flight games in Manicaland since 2015 and the local authority has never disappointed whenever a team approaches them to use the facility.

The other venue, Sakubva Stadium has been on several occasions condemned by football authorities from hosting Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches.

Since 2015, Vengere has been home to Dongo Sawmills, Buffaloes, Manica Diamonds, Tenax and Mutare City Rovers.
Ironically, the latter is owned by Mutare City Council- the custodians of Sakubva Stadium.

To add icing on the cake this season, Vengere is the home ground to four teams Black Rhinos, Manica Diamonds, Cranborne Bullets and Tenax FC.

Vengere now has the bragging rights of being the citadel of football in Manicaland.

Military sides, Black Rhinos and Cranborne Bullets are from Harare, while Manica Diamonds and Tenax are from Mutare.

By virtue of these teams being from outside Rusape, it has opened big opportunities for business operators.

Players in the tourism sector are smiling all the way to the bank as they are experiencing rising business, thanks to the hosting of PSL matches in the town.

 

Most visiting teams arrive in Rusape a day or two before their matches.

Motels and lodges in the town traditionally get their business from development partners and Government departments that book for workshops, but they have now added sports tourism.

Black Rhinos, Cranborne Bullets and Manica Diamonds usually arrive in Rusape a day or two before the match day to aclamatise with the pitch condition.

The army sides use Pamugodo Lodge as their camping base, while visiting teams usually book Crocodile Motel.

Players in the beverages and entertainment sectors are enjoying brisk business as fans merry-make before and after matches.

Bars in Vengere are filled to the brim during weekends as both locals and visiting fans spoil themselves.

Vendors of various goods and assortment are smiling all the way home.

Acting Rusape Town Secretary, Faniseni Shuwa acknowledged that PSL games have had an impact in the economic and social affairs of the town.

He said more staff members were deployed to work at the stadium so that it does not suffer from being overused.

He said an all-stakeholders meeting is on the cards on how the council and the business community can jointly maintain the facility.

“We charge 20 percent levy of the gate-takings and we ring-fence it to maintain the venue. The impact of PSL games is so huge to the town. We are engaging business operators so that they buy advertising space in the stadium and the revenue raised will be channelled back to the facility.

“We are drilling a borehole in the stadium so that there is constant water supply to maintain the turf,” said Shuwa.

The teams that adopt Vengere Stadium as their home ground have been warmly embraced by fans who come in their large numbers to watch them in action.

Even when giants like Dynamos, Highlanders and Caps United visit Vengere, locals stick to the home side.

In some towns, teams play in nearly empty stadia as opposed to Rusape where people have limited entertainment options.

The good crowds that throng Vengere on Saturdays and Sundays enable clubs like Tenax and Cranborne Bullets who operate on shoestring budgets to meet match day costs such as paying security, hire ambulances and others expenses.

Crocodile Motel general manager, Tonderai Magaya acknowledged the impact of matches at Vengere Stadium, saying they have hosted eight teams so far and are welcome to assist council in maintaining the facility.

“PSL matches have lightened up weekends in our town as weekends here are usually sleepy. Soccer has had a huge impact on our business. Every weekend we are fully booked on a full package which include accommodation and three meals. We have hosted eight teams so far and some of them twice.

“We are open to partner our council in maintaining Vengere Stadium. Our businesses have improved because of Vengere Stadium and we have to play our part in assisting the local authority to maintain the stadium,” said Magaya.

Speaking during a recently held fundraising and get together dinner, Black Rhinos secretary general, Edward Mutukwa said they are in Rusape to stay and have plans to lay a new turf on the pitch.

“We were charmed by the support we are getting here and Vengere is now our fortress. The team has made a decision to turn Vengere into our permanent home ground. Come the end of this season, we will revamp the pitch by planting new lawn,” promised Mutukwa.

 

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