MUTARE councillors have expressed concern over the state of Sakubva Stadium which was recently condemned by the Premier Soccer League, saying the local authority should attend to the facility with urgency.
KENNETH NYANGANI
Sakubva Stadium is home to the Mutare-based premiership outfit Buffaloes and the municipality-owned second tie side Mutare City Rovers.
Debating the issue on Thursday during a full council meeting, councillors said it was regrettable that their facility was condemned at a time when they expected revenue from it.
“We need the stadium to be attended to as soon as possible. Every recommendation should be implemented and we must be seen as doing something as the local authority,” said Councillor Chrispen Dube. Housing Director Stenard Mapurisa said they are working to fix the facility and it will be completed soon.
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) wrote to the owners of the stadium, Mutare City Council almost three weeks ago asking them to renovate the facility ahead of the upcoming season set to start end of this month, but nothing has been done so far.
Issues raised in the letter were the dilapidated toilets and changing rooms that need to be refurbished, the need to erect new goalposts with required aluminum, having an anti-doping room, attending to the bumpy turf and to renovation of the security wall in some sections.
By last week, renovations were yet to start and as it stands, Buffaloes might play their early matches away from Sakubva.
