Africa-Press – Eswatini. It seems Somhlolo National Stadium will not host international games anytime soon.
The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs has revealed that it needs an additional E28 million to enable the national stadium to start hosting international games again. The Minister, Bongani Nzima, disclosed that they actually require E63 million instead of the E35 million that was allocated for the venue’s facelift under the current government fiscal year. This means they need an extra E28 million, which is 80 per cent above the allocated funds for the ongoing phase of the renovations.This was revealed during a debate on a report by the ministry at the House of Assembly in Parliament, two days ago.
Incurred
The report was in response to questions from Mbabane East Member of Parliament (MP), Welcome Dlamini. The motion pertained to the extent of the losses the country has incurred by hosting home games outside Eswatini, since 2022. It is worth mentioning that 2022 was the year the Confederation of African Football (CAF) placed a ban on the local soccer ‘Mecca’ from hosting category ‘A’ games. In response, Nzima disclosed that E10 263 000 has been spent, with a rate standing at E933 000 per match. As the minister’s report was debated, a majority of the MPs who reacted, initially wanted it to be rejected, which did not happen. They wanted the renovations to be treated with urgency and the ministry to give specific time frames for winding-up them.
Among those who reacted to the report was Mayiwane MP, Sicelo Dlamini. Sicelo said the country can not afford to lose E933 000 per match and wanted to know the source of this expenditure. However, Timphisini MP, Thulani Nsingwane, asked Nzima if they had considered having multiple complying venues. He said if that was the case, the country could use another venue, while Somhlolo is under
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