The Sunday Mail
Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
THE case of stadiums and venues turning into white elephants, especially after countries invest much in hosting continental or international sporting events, has been known to plague many hosts.
Coming closer home, the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex, built for the 1995 All-Africa Games, has become a true reflection of how sporting venues can become idle after hosting big events.
The swimming pool at the complex is probably now popular with church baptisms, while the hall that hosted several ball games during the continental show is now known for hosting musical gigs.
And this was the fear when the Government started building stadiums in rural areas to host both Independence Day celebrations and the Independence Cup.
The question that always popped up was: What will the rural communities do with such stadiums after the event?
Aware of such inquiries, Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Kirsty Coventry has allayed fears of the venues turning into white elephants, saying they will, instead, be transformed into schools of excellence for sport.
Last year’s Independence Day celebrations and the Independence Cup match were held at the newly-refurbished Mupfure Stadium at Mt Darwin High School, with the spruced-up Uhera Stadium at Murambinda B High School hosting the events this year.
Both editions of the Independence Cup were contested by Dynamos and Highlanders.
The fixtures are fulfilled as part of the country’s Independence Day celebrations.
Coventry believes the venues should become vehicles for rural talent identification and nurturing.
She was talking on the sidelines of the country’s 44th independence anniversary celebrations in Murambinda on Thursday last week.
She said the 20 000-seater Uhera Stadium at Murambinda B High School must be safeguarded by the community, which should make maximum use of it.
“It’s really good because it (construction of rural stadiums) builds a solid and stronger foundation for sports development,” said Coventry.
“We were talking with my staff, saying now that we have two rural facilities developed, one from last year in Mt Darwin and this one in Murambinda, as well as another to be established for next year, that we must now start to hold tournaments throughout the year.
“These facilities should also be properly maintained so that we can identify young talent coming up. This will make sure that sport becomes the ultimate beneficiary, with young talent coming up.
“It’s very exciting. This facility (Uhera Stadium) has come out very well. I am very happy we watched Dynamos against Highlanders at this same venue and that really set a good example of what this ground can do to the community.”
Coventry said there was so much untapped talent in rural areas that should be moulded for the benefit of the country.
“We believe that there is so much talent in rural areas,” she said.
“There is so much potential in these areas; they need opportunities and the construction of this stadium is a really good initiative by the Government.
“We want to make sure that we spread our nets wide across the country to get the best athletes there are.”
Premier Soccer League chairperson and CAPS United president Farai Jere and Herentals president and striker Innocent Benza hailed the Government for dotting sporting facilities across the country.
“The setting up of stadiums in rural areas is indeed a good initiative by the Government,” said Jere. “This will enable grassroots football to flourish.
“We have seen so many players who have made it big coming from rural setups and stadiums such as Uhera will obviously help in the development of more.”
Benza said the Government should be commended for its efforts to develop sport.
“To see big teams like Dynamos and Highlanders coming all the way to play in front of predominantly Murambinda folks means a lot to our sport,” he said.
“The Government should be applauded for leaving no one behind in terms of development. The Uhera Stadium is remarkable and it is sure to see development taking place.
“The setting up of schools of excellence in rural areas, including areas like Murambinda, will go a long way in nurturing rural talent.”
