More than 25, 000 bucket seats, tonnes of concrete, three covered stands and a dominant sky blue colour define the relatively colossal structure that is the National Stadium. Nestled between the country's institution of higher learning, the University of Botswana and various sport centres, the National Stadium is an unmistakeable presence to any visitor to Botswana's capital. It has stood the test of time from its humble beginnings and now stands close to a venue of international standards. Only that it has its frustrating moments, which have been increasing in frequency in the last two decades.
The Zebras are a brand that has been associated with the venue for the longest time with countless memorable wins and defeats. When Veselin Jelusic engineered a shift in the Zebras' fortunes after the turn of the millennium, the National Stadium became central to the nation's aspirations. Thousands became willing captives at the 'giant' facility as the Zebras put up defiant performances against the continent's finest. The National Stadium was the only facility deemed fit to host international matches, creating a treasure trove of the country's valuable moments. The stadium recently hosted the inauguration of the first-ever President to win elections outside the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP). In addition, the annual Botswana Defence Force and Police days are held at the stadium. This has been due to the unavailability of an alternative venue to host large crowds within Gaborone. Whilst the National Stadium stood tall and became the source of the blue, black, and white pride, an unwanted piece of history unfolded in 2008. With Botswana looking to benefit from South Africa's hosting of the 2010 World Cup, the facility was closed for renovations, expected to be re-opened a year later. But what was supposed to be a year's project dragged on, morphing into a saga that riled a nation as millions went down the drain. At the end of the renovations, the National Stadium was supposed to be a reborn world class facility with a stylish design incorporating modern trends, that would have seen all stands under cover. But after protracted wrangles between the contractor and government, the old image of the National Stadium emerged, with the only significant difference being the pink paint. In fact, five years of renovations had altered the facility to a giant pink stadium.
The nation was agitated, but despite promises of litigation, very little was done and the government began counting its losses. All that was there to show for the P67 million renovations was a giant pink facility. The construction of the Lobatse Sports Complex did little to pacify a restive nation which demanded answers on the failed National Stadium project. Three years after the National Stadium's long-running saga, the venue was again closed for P45 million renovations. The upgrades saw the facility's seating capacity increase from 22, 000 to 25, 000, installation of bucket seats, and the replacing of the turf. The 2016 'surgery' largely passed without drama, but took spending on the facility to nearly P150 million in just eight years, without exceptional upgrades. Despite the investment, the National Stadium has failed to reach continental football body, CAF requirements to host national team matches.
The Zebras are now permanent residents at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, Botswana's only CAF-approved facility as the National Stadium, despite gobbling millions, has failed to reach the expected CAF standards. It has not ended there, just this week, the National Stadium was back to hog the headlines. The recent irritant nearly resulted in the country failing to host a premier athletics event, the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix. The stadium closed in November for track upgrades, which were initially to cost P7 million, but that figure more than doubled to P16 million as a result of delays in the works. The nation was plunged into panic mode as last-minute work was required to complete the renovations ahead of tomorrow's Grand Prix.
