Times Of Swaziland: E3M FOR MKHUZWENI, KALANGA SYNTHETIC TRACKS

E3M FOR MKHUZWENI, KALANGA SYNTHETIC TRACKS
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Ntokozo Magongo on 25/03/2021 08:18:00


MBABANE – Over E3 million will be spent on installing two synthetic tracks at
KaLanga and Mkhuzweni stadiums under the Eswatini Football Association (EFA).
This comes after the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that EFA signed with the
Athletics Eswatini (AE) that will see both federations sharing infrastructure
among other things.
KaLanga and Mkhuzweni are the two stadiums financed by the world football mother
body FIFA and the proposed installation of the synthetic tracks will be
financially assisted by the World Athletics Association. Synthetic track is a
surface made of polyurethane used for track and field competitions, and it lets
athletes compete in bad weather without serious performance loss and improves
their results over other surfaces.
estimated
To install each synthetic track will costs about E1.5 million as estimated
prices for installing the synthetic track minimum is about E700 000. A source
close to the matter confirmed yesterday. The funds are yet to be secured by the
Athletics Eswatini, with the hope of getting assistance from the World Athletics
and the corporate world. Currently, the country boast of two installed venue
with the synthetic track and that is Mavuso Sports Centre and Somhlolo National
Stadium. The track at Somhlolo National Stadium is yet to be revamped as it is
currently in a bad condition. EFA outgoing President Adam ‘Bomber’ Mthethwa,
who was elected the Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA)
president early this month, signed the 15-year-contract with Athletics Eswatini
(AE) President Zakhele Dlamini.
Witnessing
Witnessing the signing of the MoU was the newly-appointed Eswatini Sport and
Recreation Council (ESRC) Board Chairman Celucolo ‘Dino’ Dlamini, AE Vice
President Harry Malindzisa, EFA Vice-President Comfort Shongwe, EFA CEO
Frederick Mngomezulu, AE COO Thoba Mazibuko and PRO Victor ‘Mavikane’
Dlamini. Mthethwa said it had always been football’s dream to work together
with other sporting codes in developing sport. He said it was their vision to
see infrastructure under EFA utilised by other sporting codes. He said even
during the construction of the Technical Centre in Lobamba, PS at the time,
Sicelo Dlamini, knows that the technical centre was open to other sporting
codes.
“Former EOCGA president Zombodze Magagula once said if we put our hands
together, we can achieve a lot and now we are moving towards that direction and
the relations between the two organisation would be great for sports,” he
said. AE President Zakhele Dlamini said this MoU came after the first that they
signed with the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE).