FIFA hands over Molepolole Sports Complex

BOITUMELO KHUTSAFALO
Staff Writer | Friday November 14, 2008 00:00

 

At the handing over ceremony at the stadium on Wednesday, senior FIFA manager in charge of development programmes Africa, Cyril Loisel said the renovation is a big investment. He said that all the support that FIFA is providing is to try and improve the quality of football in the world. He added that the Molepolole Stadium can sustain six hours of play per day after the renovation. He explained that if taken care of properly, the turf can last more than 10 years. Loisel was accompanied by other FIFA representatives among them Ashford Mamelodi.

In her acceptance speech, Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Gladys Kokorwe said that she is humbled by FIFA's gesture of coming up with the WIWA initiative to popularise football in Africa ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. She said the initiative is a humbling one as it is well researched. She said the Molepolole facility should be utilised as optimally and as responsibility as possible.

She stated that the handover takes place at a crucial time when the National Stadium has been closed for renovation and University of Botswana Stadium and the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks Stadium are about to be closed for refurbishing to prepare for countries that may want to train in Botswana ahead of the 2010 World Cup. She said that the closure of the two facilities will disrupt the Premier League programme and the Molepolole Stadium will come in handy.

BFA president, David Fani said that the investment made by FIFA means that the BFA has a stake in the facility and therefore they have an obligation to ensure that it is well taken care of.

The Molepolole Stadium is the first facility to have artificial turf in the country. It will be good for local players who have in the past struggled in away games when playing in artificial pitches.