By Sheldon Hakata

ZIMBABWE is battling a stadium crisis which has largely been blamed on poor management of the existing facilities.

Players have complained of injuries arising from the poor state of stadia that have put their careers at risk.

Warriors goalkeepers, George Chigova and Edmore Sibanda, have both sustained injuries in the past attributable to the poor state of stadia.

Many a pitch around the country are uneven which has made life difficult for players and frustrated coaches who see their game plans derailed by the playing field.

The giant football facility, the National Sports Stadium, has failed to meet the minimum requirements to stage international assignments.

The Confederation of African football has banned the use of local football facilities.

Despite the millions of dollars that were poured into Rufaro Stadium by the Harare City Council for a facelift, it still remains an eye-sore.

Mandava Stadium, in Zvishavane, has also been condemned by CAF.

According to the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Giani Infantino: “stadiums are the heart of the professional game; they are where the action is played out, where the highs and lows are experienced, where history is made. 

Top quality stadiums are vital to the comfort, safety and security of the spectators, players, officials, media and staff.”

It has been argued that stadium design should focus on the need to create people-friendly structures which provide maximum levels of comfort and safety. Increasingly, football stadiums are regarded as architectural icons within the urban landscape that have a massive impact on the surrounding communities and infrastructure. 

Further more, it has been stressed that impressive venues can be built on relatively limited budgets,  smaller clubs should be able to build venues that serve their communities.

Elsewhere in the world stadiums have been developed to maximise their commercial potential, by incorporating a broad range of facilities and usages incorporate the latest technological advances in order to offer the best possible facilities to a match-going public that expects much more from the match day experience. 

After independence, Zimbabwe used to boast of good football facilities in the mould of Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield, Chibuku Stadium, Chitungwiza, Rufaro Stadium, Mbare, Cam and Motor Stadium, Kadoma, Sakubva Stadium, Mutare, to name a few.

Chibuku Stadium remains a sorry sight, after the Chitungwiza Town council turned down Prophet Walter Magaya’s offer to renovate and uplift the facility for use by his premiership club, Yadah FC, two years back.  

Barbourfields Stadium passed the test, for now, but CAF inspectors have advised that some renovations be done as a matter of urgency.

So the Bulawayo facility will be the only one to host the CAF Champions League and other international soccer team assignments.

If renovations recommended by CAF are not carried out, Zimbabwe representative teams like The Mighty Warriors, and The Warriors would be forced to play home matches outside the borders.

Authorities should now focus on rectifying past mistakes and come up with sustainable policies to bring the country back on track as far as football is concerned.

The giant National Sports Stadium, Mandava Stadium and Rufaro Stadium need urgent attention as they are the country’s biggest facilities.

For all our development, our stadia must not be shutdown, in fact we should be bidding to host major football and other sports tournaments.

It is time administrators paid full attentiont to the needs of sport and not abuse their offices focusing on personal enrichment.

Administrators should commit to serving sport, fulfilling responsibilities diligently and concentrating on issues that promote growth and standards.

The country should take a leaf from countries such as South Africa which have hosted the Soccer World Cup.

City councils, the Premier Soccer League, ZIFA and other stakeholders have to come together to grow the world’s most beautiful game.