Budget constraints stop extension of National Diamond

MOSAH MOKGANEDI
Correspondent | Friday July 23, 2010 00:00

The decision came after recommendations by a task force appointed to look into the issue. The task force recommended that the works should be abandoned because the funds allocated were insufficient.

The BSA will instead develop a training field to be used as the main pitch in the interim because the National Diamond has been demolished. BSA president, Marumo Morule, said they realised they would not be able to develop two pitches (the main one and the other for training) at the same time because of insufficient funds.

BSA was given P750,000 by the Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) as compensation for part of the National Diamond that is to be demolished to pave way for a road to serve the renovated National Stadium. The association was allocated land to extend the National Diamond. Morule said they will continue to use the National Diamond until the part is demolished.

'We would not be able to develop the stadium on our own and we hope government will come to our rescue,' Morule said.

he new training field is expected to be complete in November. Morule said the unavailability of the National Diamond will not make a difference as it is not in a state to host international matches.

He said they will turn to the Lobatse and Francistown Stadiums for high profile matches and tournaments.