Facelift for neglected Masunga Sports Complex
James Kgosi | Friday August 14, 2015 13:17
Reikeletseng said the council recently received funds through a special dispensation to renovate stadiums around the country.
The commission’s Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Thato Kgosimore also confirmed Reikeletseng’s disclosure that plans were afoot to begin full maintenance of the sports facilities.
“Already we have started with minor renovations of our facilities using the commission’s manpower. However, for major works we are in the process of engaging contractors to carry out the tasks.
“I can’t reveal when renovations will be completed but in the next months, we will be busy with maintenance works around our facilities,” Kgosimore said.
Kgosimore and Reikeletseng were responding to an inquiry about the Masunga integrated sports facility, which is a sorry sight of complete dilapidation and dereliction. In September last year, the council said it was struggling to secure funds to renovate the facility.
However at the time, Reikeletseng said the BNSC would work on initiatives to raise money to renovate the sports complex.
Not much has changed since the Mmegi Sport report on the poor state of the stadium last September. The only noticeable change is the removal of acacia trees and slashing of overgrown vegetation in and around the administrative block, perhaps a suggestion that minor maintenance has begun.
Grass continues to grow around the ablution blocks and other buildings around the stadium. Overgrown trees and grass still cover the stands. The football pitch, which is made of artificial turf, has taken a battering with the white plastic markings peeling off. The courts of various sporting codes such as basketball and tennis are slowly becoming worn out.
Of all the four integrated sports complexes in the country, it is only Masunga Sports Complex, which remains less active. The other three facilities in Maun, Serowe and Molepolole are kept busy through hosting beMOBILE Premiership games.
Yesterday, Reikeletseng said the council intends to encourage its affiliates to utilise the Masunga Sports Complex so that it does not become a white elephant.
“We want to ease the burden of using facilities in Gaborone as well as taking various sporting codes to other parts of the country. We have already done that by taking the Botswana Games to Francistown,” he said.