Africa-Press – Eswatini. IT will seem the Somhlolo National Stadium will not be available anytime soon, even for local games.
Through the Eswatini Football Association (EFA), the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) wrote to the ministry of sports, culture and youth affairs requesting to use the facility after it was deemed unfit to host international matches by CAF inspectors last week which was declined.
In a response by the ministry, the rejection grounds are that the stadium is still under construction.
Government addressed most of the issues that CAF had flagged during earlier inspections which included the installation of a new FIFA-standard artificial turf, rehabilitation of dressing, media and medical rooms, revamping of VIP suites, installation of new floodlights, construction of a new media tribune and revamping of the Public Address (PA) system, among other things. Which set back the tax payer by over E30 million.
At least E30 million more has already been set aside to continue with further rehabilitation.
The areas of concern that the latest CAF inspection report highlights will require more funds and time in order to be properly addressed. The CAF’s report highlights a need to ‘explore the possibility of renovating completely the players’ tunnel’, something that may require the complete demolition of huge parts of the entire Somhlolo main stand. The report also calls for the installation of a giant screen and ‘modern electronic access controls and automated counting systems’, which may not be immediately feasible.
This were the grounds the PLE used in their request as they look to wind up the remaining three games of the MTN Premier League. According to the league rules and regulations, competing teams must play simultaneously at this stage of the season which requires more playing venues.
“The ministry has just responded that our application to use the venue has been rejected because the stadium is still under construction,” an impeccable source within the EFA executive committee said. Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Communications Officer Sibongiseni Zondi said. “We cannot discuss internal communication between the ministry and its stakeholders. However, what is important to note is that the stadium remains closed to the public as the rehabilitation under phase 2 is still ongoing. In other words, the stadium is still a construction zone.”
Interestingly, in earlier communications, the ministry said phase 2 of the construction was done and that football could be played at the venue with phase 3 which included the construction of a security wall fence and sewer line not expected to be of hindrance.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
