Story by Tafara Chikumira, Midlands Bureau Chief
CONSTRUCTION works at Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe are progressing well, with contractors confident that all works will be completed by the end of this month.
Contractors are aiming to meet all the requirements of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to be able to host international matches, and they are confident that the plans to officially open the facility with a match pitting Zimbabwean legends against African legends next month will take place.
“What I can assure the nation is that 35 days from now, this stadium will be operational,” Project Spokesperson, Prophet Walter Magaya said.
“We are very excited that the ZIFA president and his team have graced this place and have given us assurances that he will be bringing in some officials from CAF to come and inspect this stadium for considerations on international matches.”
“We now have all the materials on-site and we are already at around 60 to 70% completion. Major works like foundations and steel works are already done, and we are good to go.”
The Kwekwe community is excited by the prospect of watching professional football in the city, while others are already benefiting from the job opportunities that have been created by the project.
“I foresee this place poised for massive transformation as this facility will certainly change the game. I heard them asking for an airport; consider it done,” traditional leader, Chief Gwasela said.
“I am very happy with this development, now we are going to be watching the Premier League locally. We used to travel to Bulawayo and Harare for such matches, but now we have just been remembered,” a football fan said.
“This project has brought us the much-needed jobs. We are now working here and we look forward to more opportunities,” a beneficiary from the project said.
Meanwhile, the government commended the investors for assisting in national development.
“The need for local authorities to adhere to principles of good governance, transparency, and accountability remains pivotal in creating opportunities in sports and other economic sectors that underpin our GDP growth,” Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube said.
“My tour of Chahwanda Stadium today has been inspirational, fulfilling, and reassuring. The development of our communities is indeed a collective responsibility that demands commitment, resilience, selflessness, and, most importantly, patriotism, as shown here by our project sponsors. We are indeed our own political and economic liberators,” he added.
Once the stadium meets the ZIFA standards, Kwekwe United is anticipated to use the facility for its home matches, thereby bringing top-flight football to the mining town of Kwekwe.
