GOVT TO BUILD E6BN STADIUM

MBABANE – After conceding the need for a modern national stadium, the Eswatini Government has promised to deliver a world-class facility worth billions of Emalangeni by 2029.

Government has stated and captured this thorny issue for the sports fraternity in its Programme of Action (PoA) for 2024/25 to 2028/29. The PoA is designed as a short-to-medium-term plan, anchored on the 2023 Sibaya (People’s Parliament) submissions and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2023/24 – 2027/28. The new government was tasked with a ‘nkwe’ Mandate to develop an enabling infrastructure, among other things. In July, during the 2023/24 Ingwenyama Cup sponsored by Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF) prize presentation ceremony, the government’s Premier Russell Mmiso Dlamini conceded the urgent need for a larger and more up-to-date national stadium, given the ageing 56-year-old Somhlolo.

The PoA published in October this year states: “A world-class (Olympic) national stadium will be developed based on a comprehensive feasibility study, future-proofed architectural impressions, appropriate funding model, strategic partnerships and maintenance programme.” The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs will lead the delivery of one of the country’s millennium projects. Government has estimated that it will cost E6.015 billion and will be funded by both government and external finances. It is worth noting that Eswatini has been considering public-private partnerships (PPP) to establish this landmark project.

Other enabling ministries for the delivery of the Olympic venue, according to the plan include the ministries of Public Works and Transport, Housing and Urban Development, Economic Planning, Tinkhundla Administration and Development, as well as the Ministry of Finance. This project is expected to be carried out over a period of three years, from 2026 to 2029. However, the location for the new stadium has not been mentioned.

Cost

Research shows that the price tag for a brand-new main Olympic stadium varies greatly per venue. For the 2016 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium cost E2 billion (US$109 million) to build, whereas London Stadium, built for the 2012 Summer Olympics, cost roughly E14.21 billion (US$780 million) at yesterday’s market exchange rate.

Meanwhile, government, in its 2024 ministerial end-of-year performance report, anticipated that the under rehabilitated Somhlolo National Stadium would be back hosting international category ‘A’ games early next year. “The exercise is now in its final phase. The required improvements are projected to be completed by December 2024, with the CAF assessment expected early next year. The stadium should be in use by February or March next year,” the report reads.

The national stadium is being revamped to meet atleast the minimum standards of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The ministry revealed this year that about E10.6 million has been spent by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) in hosting Sihlangu’s games in South Africa since Somhlolo was banned in 2022, according to the ministry’s report. It is worth mentioning that the country’s main arena was banned by CAF in 2019.

On another note, the PoA reveals interesting news for other sporting codes. Government plans to begin the construction of multi-sporting and creative arts centres worth E800 million in tinkhundla centres. This will be based on a comprehensive feasibility study and world-class future-proofed architecture. Sporting codes that would be catered for include basketball, netball, volleyball and tennis. (More reports on Olympic National Stadiums in next publication)

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