Government says the stitching machine and seeds meant for the rehabilitation works on the playing turf at Lusaka’s Heroes Stadium have already arrived in the country.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Arts, Elvis Nkandu, says works are on course, attributing the delay in the rehabilitation works to logistical challenges.
In an interview with ZANIS, Mr Nkandu also said the imported seeds for the turf had to undergo inspection, causing further delays, but assured the nation that everything is now ready and planting will begin soon.
“We have been maintaining Heroes Stadium and so far so good, although the works have taken longer than expected. We thought the work would finish in September, but we had logistical challenges,” he said.
Mr Nkandu further assured the country that the works will be completed by the end of January next year, adding that soccer fans should expect to watch international matches at the stadium once again.
The ongoing rehabilitation works at the stadium are being undertaken at a cost of 1.4 million dollars.
Meanwhile, Mr Nkandu announced that the government has plans to host major competitions in the future, but emphasised that maintaining sporting infrastructure remains an important ingredient.
“Many sports struggle because they lack proper facilities. We focus too much on football infrastructure, but we also need tennis courts, volleyball courts and facilities for other sports,” he said.
“That is why we appealed to Members of Parliament to allocate part of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to sports facilities. All other ministries benefit from CDF; the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts does not.” He explained.
Mr Nkandu said the ministry has been encouraging MPs to invest in multi-sport infrastructure in their respective constituencies through CDF.
“Next year, for example in Kaputa, we will build multi-sport facilities including a football pitch, futsal pitches and multi-purpose courts for basketball, volleyball and netball. If every constituency had such facilities, talent development would change completely,” he added.
He further said that with proper sports facilities, sports management and talent identification will improve drastically, enabling talent to be nurtured effectively.
We really need these sports infrastructures for sure because right now we’re slacking at every angle of it and yet they’re so many especialiy football pitches that have been neglected around our country all they need is face lift the old ones and if there is any money to build new ones then be it. blessup