Times Of Swaziland: MP CALLS FOR POW UPGRADE

MP CALLS FOR POW UPGRADE
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Machawe Fakudze on 17/04/2024 10:33:00


MBABANE – “It is a disgrace that we do not have a stadium in the city.”
These were the words of Mbabane East Member of Parliament (MP) Welcome Dlamini
in a post-tournament interview at Msunduza Sports Ground, this past Sunday.
Dlamini witnessed the finals of the E10 000 Mbabane East MP Easter Tournament
between The Garage Social team and Masters Social team. The Manzini Wanderers
Captain Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Nkambule-coached side, The Garage, lost the match
2-1. The MP said he was happy with the standard of football and the
sportsmanship which was displayed by all the clubs. “I would like to assure my
fellow community members that this would now be an annual tournament and I am
hopeful that the next edition will be bigger and better,” Dlamini said.
He was then asked about the burning issue of the lack of a proper stadium, which
could meet the standards of both the International Federation of Football
Association (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). In his
response, the MP said they were concerned as parliamentarians, but the issue was
being dealt by the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs. Dlamini said
he would propose that the Municipal Council of Mbabane improve the Prince of
Wales Sports Ground to at least host the Mbabane derby between Mbabane
Highlanders and Mbabane Swallows. “It’s a disgrace that we do not have a
stadium in the city and I will advocate for that it is improved,” Dlamini
added.
He further said initially, the venue was constructed to host cricket games and
it was for that reason it was called the Oval. It is worth mentioning that the
Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) is faced with a venues dilemma after the
closure of the second biggest football arena in the country, the Mavuso Sports
Centre. The venue is currently undergoing rehabilitation on the VIP box. The
Somhlolo National Stadium is also closed for MTN Premier League games.