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MIRROR REPORTER

CHIREDZI – Tshovani, one of the biggest stadiums in the southern region is undergoing a US$49 000 facelift in a bid to raise it to the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and international standards that would see it hosting Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches.
Built in the 1970s the council-owned Tshovani Stadium is the most popular venue for public and community events in Chiredzi including lower division football.
Chiredzi Acting Town Clerk Consider Kubiku said refurbishment of the stadium is also part of council’s vision to turn Chiredzi into a smart city by 2030. The refurbishment started in May and is expected to be completed before the end of this year.
The refurbishment programme involves the turfing of the field which according to Kubiku is 80% complete, two boreholes have been sunk and this is to ensure that water is always available. Council is also looking at building more terraces to increase the stadium’s carrying capacity while the introduction of the bucket seat system is planned for the next phase.

Refurbishment of changing rooms, ablution facilities, and water supply equipment has been completed, said Kubiku.
Chiredzi District has two other large stadiums in Triangle. These are Gibbo and Chishamiso which are both owned by Tongaat Hullet. Gibbo meets Zifa standards and is currently being used for Premier League games while Chishamiso was last used some years back.
“The resuscitation of Tshovani is one of the major projects under community amenities which our local authority is undertaking to meet our vision of becoming a smart municipality by 2030.
“The turf grass is now almost 80 percent complete and we are making good progress with the project,” he said.
CTC Housing and Community Services Director Pilate Gava said the ultimate objective was to transform Tshovani Stadium into a modern sporting facility capable of meeting the requirements set by ZIFA for hosting top-flight football. “We are currently resuscitating the stadium and our plan is for the stadium to meet ZIFA standards. We have plans that we will also have bucket seats and construct more terraces so that the stadium can accommodate more people,” said Gava.