The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
LACK of funding has stalled the refurbishment of floodlights as well installation of buckets seats at Barbourfields Stadium.
While the bulk of the renovations have been carried out from last year in order for the stadium to meet Confederation of Africa (Caf) standards for hosting international matches, floodlights still have not been replaced while bucket seats that are also a requirement from the continental body are still to be procured because there are no funds.
A new design has been proposed for floodlights that involves replacing the old lamps as the bulbs, besides not meeting the Caf standards also consume a lot of electricity. Plans for lighting also include installing lights on the edges of the stands.
“There has been no change regarding the floodlights and bucket seats due to lack of funding, though an implementation plan is in place in case funding is availed,’’ said the City of Bulawayo.
Installing bucket seats will see the stadium’s capacity reduced from 22 000 to 12 000.
Renovations that have been carried out at Emagumeni since last year include the installation of new aluminum goal posts as well as nets, procurement of turf maintenance equipment (ride-on-Mower), Pitch Re-planting and maintenance, renovation of existing Change Rooms, including providing furniture, fittings, TVs, fridges, lockers, First Aid kits, tactical boards, WiFi, showers and toilets.
Designing of future changing rooms has also been part of the work going on at Barbourfields with renovations to the First Aid room, press conference room, media room, meeting room, team benches area, doping control room, stadium signage, stadium safety plan, purchase of furniture and fittings for respective rooms, provision of mixed zone area, construction and surfacing of parking areas, stadium lighting design, provision and repair to firefighting installation, general maintenance, painting and repairs to stadium facilities are also part of the work that has been going on at Barbourfields Stadium.
A visit to the facility last Friday showed that the stadium is ready for the resumption of local football which is due to restart on 29 September with the continuation of the Chibuku Super Cup matches, with the turf at Emagumeni in an immaculate condition.
The four Bulawayo based teams, Bulawayo City, Bulawayo Chiefs, Chicken Inn and Highlanders are using Barbourfields for the Chibuku Super Cup which is being played in a cluster format. Each of the four teams have played three matches each, with Chicken Inn on top, followed by Highlanders, Chiefs are third while City are bottom.
— @Mdawini_29
