Stadia embarrassment continues unabated

Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday August 25, 2010 00:00

Finest athleteBlack Peril striker, Benny Michelo, who scored the season's fastest goal, after four minutes against Township Rollers. He was a constant menace to the Rollers' defence.

Week's disappointmentThe men and women national bowling teams returned empty handed from the African States competition held in Zimbabwe. Botswana went into the tournament with their tails up but returned humbled, after finishing a disappointing fourth. The result is a wake up call as the national teams prepare for what should be a tough task in the Commonwealth Games scheduled for India in October. Lebo Mascarenhas, ranked the top woman bowler in Africa was particularly disappointing as she was expected to bring gold from the women's singles. What is worrying is that there is a developing trend of national teams returning from international assignments battered. May be targeted funding should be given a serious thought.

Talking pointApparently there is no end to the stadia fiasco, which started with promises that facilities under construction and renovation would be completed last December. But after missing several deadlines, no one seems concerned about the grave state of affairs. Besides a proposed commission of inquiry, which was turned down, there has been a lackadaisical approach to the stadia fiasco. Reports that we might see some people dragged to court over failure to complete projects on time might offer a glimmer of hope. Taxpayers' money was used to fund these projects and the public deserves better. It is a disaster that the Zebras will be watched by fewer than 10,000 fans at the UB Stadium when they tackle Togo in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on September 4. The National Stadium would have been an ideal venue, but still refurbishments have not been completed despite assurances that they will be finished before the end of the month. Brakes should be applied to this embarrassment and surely heads must roll.

The statThree (3) the number of Premier League matches in which at least four goals were scored.

The quote (blast from the past)'The National Stadium was scheduled for completion by January 10, 2010, the handover of the project is currently being done in phases and would be completed by August 2010,' Minister of Sports, Youth and Culture, Shaw Kgathi answering a question in Parliament.