If you want to truly develop sport across the OR Tambo district, then bring in investors to complete the construction of the Mthatha Stadium.
Particular focus should be given to allocating more financial resources to the development of sport at grass roots level, ensuring there are enough proper playing fields in rural communities while those in charge of development should receive support including proper training and mentoring.
This was the unequivocal message sent to government by sporting bodies and former sports heroes during a sports indaba hosted by King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality mayor Nyaniso Nelani at the stadium on Friday.
He said Mthatha had previously been regarded as a mecca of soccer in the entire Eastern Cape.
“This is a platform to ignite discussions around sport, to advise each other and to come up with systems and solutions to grow the sport,” he said.
“76% of our population in KSD is 35 years and under.”
He said many were trapped in a life of drug abuse and urged those involved in the sport to work with KSD to “change their fortunes and rescue them”.
He said sport not only had the potential to serve as a nation builder, but it could help boost tourism and economic development in the area.
DispatchLIVE previously reported that the R230m stadium had been built in 2010 to be used as a training venue for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. But it was only officially opened two years later as a multipurpose facility, with then-EC sports and recreation MEC Xoliswa Tom attributing the delays to structural defects.
At Friday’s sports indaba, EC Sports Confederation vice-president Mzondeleli Qotoyi said the stadium was meant to host several sporting codes once it was fully developed.
“Please bring in investors to develop this facility so that everyone can benefit from it. This should become an inspirational place where every child, whether they are in the far-flung areas of Flagstaff or Coffee Bay, will dream of one day coming to play.”
Awethu Zumana, a chief of staff in sports, recreation, arts & culture MEC Fezeka Nkomonye’s office, said the department was moving towards ensuring that each district in the province had at least one state-of-the-art sports facility.
He said discussions were ongoing to ensure that the Mthatha Stadium was completed so that “Mthatha can position itself as a sports destination” and ensure that big events were hosted at the stadium.
“Sport is a multibillion-rand industry. If cities don’t position themselves, then they lose out .If Mthatha can take advantage of the Mthatha Stadium, it could help boost the economic value of the town.”
KSD sports confederation chair Mandisi Magwentshu told Nelani there was a lot of sports activity taking place, including in rural areas of KSD. He said the problem was that there were no proper sports grounds.
“We don’t need World Cup stadiums. Just build proper sports fields in rural areas.”
Former Springbok-turned property mogul Tim Dlulane, who hails from Mpheko village outside Mthatha, urged government to invest in private-public partnerships to develop sport.
Former Mthatha Bucks team manager Lunga “Doc” Tukute meanwhile called on Nelani to establish a sports office that would manage all sporting facilities within KSD.
Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Mzunani Mgwigwi urged those involved not to politicise the development of sport, while Mthatha development soccer coaches Mathemba Jafta and Bonga Dywili said focus should be on grass roots development, including in schools.
Speaking on the sidelines afterwards, Nelani dispelled claims that the Mthatha Stadium had been closed. He said they were working hard to mobilise resources for its completion.
“We are proud of this facility. We have high hopes that we will get it [funding].We are working with provincial government and the sports confederation,” he said.
Lwazi Madyibi, who manages all municipal sporting facilities at KSD, also refuted suggestions that the stadium had been closed down. He said there had been a problem with the pitch's playing surface which had to be fixed. But the stadium had been good and ready for use since early February.
DispatchLIVE
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