Yesterday, social media was awash with pictures of the supposed renovations that have taken place at the country’s major soccer facility, National Sports Stadium.
The pictures were taken during Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry’s tour at the soccer ground.
According to a report from the state-controlled media, Coventry is confident that what has been done could meet FIFA and CAF standards.
After being embarrassed late last year, Government intensified renovations of all the country’s stadia which had dilapidated as some were being used as maize fields.
The changing rooms have been given a major facelift while the doping room is now up and running.
The press conference room and the media centre have been given a facelift as well.
“I am quite impressed with the progress made here at this sporting facility. The government and other stakeholders are working round the clock to ensure that our local stadia meet the international standards expected by CAF and FIFA. This will enable us as a country to host international matches following the ban by the football supreme body. I am sure once we complete the renovations this sporting facility will be top class. We are also working on ensuring that the NSS will be able to host track events. Also, we are planning to put a completely new turf after 12 months”, she said.
Still not put up are the bucket seats which are yet to be purchased after the ongoing lockdown.
“The bucket seats will put up later since they are not part of essential goods hence we could not get them for the renovations at this stage, but we, however, agreed with CAF and FIFA that we will purchase them and once the lockdown is over, then they can be erected,” she explained.
Although there is progress, these renovations have to be prioritised in the future.
In February all stadia in the country failed to meet the CAF standards.
