Times Of Swaziland: SOMHLOLO COULD BE READY IN 4 MONTHS

SOMHLOLO COULD BE READY IN 4 MONTHS
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Machawe Fakudze on 18/08/2024 14:46:00


MBABANE – There is light at the end of the tunnel.
This is the story of the Somhlolo National Stadium, which is currently
undergoing the final stage of its renovations by government through the Ministry
of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs. The national arena was banned from hosting
high-profile matches under both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as
well as those for the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) in
2019. This left Eswatini with one venue for category ‘A’ games for CAF and
FIFA, the Mavuso Sports Centre, which was however, banned a year later.
The ministry was eventually given a E35 million which was tabled by the Minister
of Finance Neal Rijkenberg early this year during the budget speech in
Parliament at Lobamba.
The ministry’s then Communications Officer Sibongiseni Zondi was quoted saying
that the delay to continue with phase IV renovations was due to the fact that
government had not released the funds.
Zondi, on June 20, 2024 reported that the money was now available, but stated
that they had no specific date on when the works would commence. This
publication recently reported that the rehabilitations at the multi-purpose
stadium had begun, but without time frame as to when it would be competed. The
ministry’s Acting Communications Officer Thabile Mdluli revealed that they had
once again engaged Construction Associates (CA) for Phase IV rehabilitation.
This is expected to be the last phase before it can host the international
games.
“Construction Associates are the contractors that have been engaged for this
phase. We anticipate that the works will be completed within a four-month
period,” Mdluli said.
The ministry further revealed that once this phase has been completed, football
matches under category ‘A’ would return.
Budget
Meanwhile,  this phase as per the budget estimates document for this
government’s fiscal year, the new-look for Somhlolo will have, among other
features, a E10 million VVIP hospitality area and E9 million sewer and toilets.
As per the breakdown, up to E3 million will be channelled towards a media room;
E2 million for VIP gate; E3 million for giant screen; and E2 million for backup
generator. Government has further budgeted E1 million for a retractable tunnel.
Up to E5 million is for professional fees and contingencies.
The prolonged rehabilitation of the stadium has had a negative impact on local
clubs’ participation in inter-club competitions. The national team, Sihlangu,
earlier this year, lamented the costs of playing its home games in South Africa.
It reported spending about E900 000 for a game that was supposed to be played
locally. Despite this hurdle, MTN Premier League Champions Mbabane Swallows and
Nsingizini Hotspurs, the country’s envoys in the CAF Champions League and
Confederation Cup, respectively, have been rescued by South Africa for their
home games.