The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
GWERU Sports Club are rolling out plans to install a state-of-the-art athletics tartan track, the first of its kind in the Midlands Province.
John Gray Makuwalo, Gweru Sports Club chairman said they had land set aside for the athletics track and were working with relevant stakeholders to make sure that the project goes ahead. Last Wednesday, a delegation from the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) visited Gweru Sports Club to check renovations taking place at the multi sports centre.
“We have land that is reserved for a tartan track, we want to put up a first of its kind tartan track that meets IAAF standards. We are looking at putting it in Midlands because of its centrality. We are working with the SRC, the corporate world and National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe so that whatever facility we are going to put up it will meet international standards,’’ Makuwalo said.
Gweru Sports Club have engaged three companies, two local and one foreign for this project which should be completed by 2022.
“By end of 2022, it must be fully functional. We are going to put an athletics pavilion which will have changing rooms, doping room, indoor facilities for warm up. It’s going to have storage for equipment and also have a B-arena. Most of the things are at an advanced stage, we are in negotiations with three companies, one foreign and two local to partner us in making sure that this athletics pavilion is a success,’’ he said.
Gweru Sports Club have covered massive strides in terms of the makeover which started in April, with most of the facilities now ready for use.
“Renovations that took place have seen the refurbishment of tennis courts that are already being used, squash courts are ready for use, the rugby field is almost complete and the beach volleyball courts are now waiting for sand to fill them.”
The Gweru community rejected plans to repossess the land and turn it into residential and commercial stands by the Gweru City Council, which would have led to the demolition of the 102-year-old sporting facility.
Plans are also in place to establish a Hall of Fame for sportspersons who have represented Midlands as well as Zimbabwe.
Gweru Sports Club are looking at creating a partnership with Wanderers Sports Club in Johannesburg, South Africa that should see talented sportspersons being accommodated in the neighbouring country when they go for competitions. – @Mdawini_29.
