Times Of Swaziland: MEDIA TRIBUNE FOR MAVUSO SPORTS CENTRE

MEDIA TRIBUNE FOR MAVUSO SPORTS CENTRE
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Mengameli Mabuza on 05/08/2024 07:59:00


MBABANE – As part of the ongoing renovations at Mavuso Sports Centre, a media
tribune has been installed.
The tribune, which will serve as a dedicated press area, will allow reporters to
cover events from a separate location within the stadium, enhancing the media
coverage of the sports centre. However, due to the ongoing VIP renovations, the
facility remains closed until the completion of the construction work. Earlier
this year, this publication  revealed that Mavuso Sports Centre had commenced
renovations in March, rendering the stadium unsuitable for hosting MTN Premier
League matches towards the end of the previous season.
Upgrade
The construction work, which aimed to upgrade the facility’s VIP areas,
necessitated the temporary closure of the stadium, disrupting the schedule of
several high-profile matches that were initially planned to take place at the
venue. Du-Van Developers was awarded the tender to renovate the Mavuso Trade and
Exhibition Sports Centre’s VIP Box. The news follows an earlier announcement
by the Eswatini Investment Authority (EIPA), which outlined the plan to upgrade
the VVIP Box as part of a broader effort to modernise and enhance the overall
facilities at the stadium. The contractor proposed a contract price of over E5.7
million, as it was stated in the intention to award the tender.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned both Mavuso Sports
Centre and Somhlolo National Stadium from hosting international matches, citing
substandard facilities that fail to meet the organisation’s requirements. This
decision, which has effectively prohibited international fixtures from being
staged at the two stadiums, came as a blow to Eswatini’s standing within the
global football community.
With the ongoing renovations at Mavuso Sports Centre and the challenges faced by
Somhlolo National Stadium, the country’s ability to attract top-level football
matches has been significantly hampered, leaving local fans without access to
international fixtures. Mavuso Sports Centre is a multipurpose stadium located
in Manzini, Eswatini. Primarily used for football matches, the stadium boasts a
seating capacity of 5 000 spectators, making it the second-largest sporting
venue in the country after the Somhlolo National Stadium, which can accommodate
7 500 fans.
Tribune
A media tribune, also known as a press tribune, is a designated area within a
sports stadium or arena specifically reserved for journalists, photographers and
other members of the media. This tribune, which is typically located within
prime viewing positions in the stadium, provides a safe and comfortable
environment for media personnel to cover events, report on matches, and conduct
interviews. The media tribune is usually equipped with seating, power outlets,
internet access, and other facilities to facilitate the smooth functioning of
media activities during sports matches. Despite attempts by this publication to
obtain additional information about the ongoing improvements at Mavuso Sports
Centre, the Eswatini Investment Authority could not be reached for comment at
the time of compiling the report yesterday.