The National Sports Stadium
By Dickson Bandera
The Premier Soccer League has temporarily suspended all league games with immediate effect to pave way for maintenance work at the National Sports Stadium.
The break will also allow the stadium to regenerate, given that it is hosting at least four games per week.
Games will resume on the 1st of July 2023.
Following the dilapidation of soccer facilities across the country over the years, the National Sports stadium is the only stadium in Harare approved to host PSL matches for the 2023 soccer season.
In a statement the PSL said: “This serves to advise that the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is taking a break with immediate effect and will resume on the 1st of July 2023.
“This has been necessitated by the maintenance work on water reticulation being carried out at the National Sports Stadium and to allow the playing field to regenerate.
“We also expect refurbishment works at Rufaro, Nyamhunga and Sakubva Stadia to be completed before we resume Castle Lager PSL matches.
Financed by the Chinese government, the 60 000-seater National Sports Stadium opened its gates in 1987 and has hosted continental and international matches and tournaments. In 1995, the stadium was the main venue for the All Africa games where 46 countries competed across eighteen discipline s.
In 2006, the Chinese government contributed $5.8 million for renovations which focused on the roof, public address system, sewage system and offices. Other renovations were done in 2010, 2020, and now 2023.
The renovations and construction of new sportting facilities have become topical over the years with pressure being put on the authorities to step and restore the sporting standards in the country.
While efforts to keep the giant national sports stadium in shape are laudable, there is urgent need to bring back to life other already existing stadiums such as Gwanzura, Chibuku, and Baghdad.
