Good news as BCM finalises sporting facilities
Sports facilities are back in the spotlight as indeed they should always be. A meeting initiated by the Border-Kei Chamber of Business, through their sports and facilities committee, saw various sporting representatives meet Chippa Mpengezi of Chippa Holdings and two of his representatives.
The meeting was cordial and for the most part positive, given that the parties had never sat down together before.
As the meeting progressed it appeared the mood was becoming more promising.
The content of the discussions mainly revolved around rugby and athletics, the two sports most affected by the situation surrounding the former home of Border Rugby, initially known as the Border Rugby Union Grounds, before being named after Basil Kenyon, a former Springbok and Border Rugby captain and the Jan Smuts Stadium where athletics, soccer, and previously provincial and international cricket fixtures were played.
Chippa Holdings, prior to BCMM affording them the rights to the two stadiums in the centre of East London were awarded sole use of the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, which was a traditional rugby ground also used to great effect for road races hosted by Real Gijimas and other township-based clubs.
Sadly, the stadium, which has denied access to running fixtures ever since, did not attract the attention it might have, mainly because of a lack of knowledge when it comes to road running activity and indeed rugby through the early years of the National Sports Congress and before that.
All focus was on the two innercity facilities, which are admittedly crucial to school athletics in particular and Border Rugby.
Border was once a proud province, twice winning the Currie Cup and hosting many touring rugby teams as well as World Cup games. Professional soccer matches have for decades been played at what is now referred to as the BCM Stadium.
Border women’s rugby and their team are a force nationally, but without a home venue. Border have further supplied several male Springboks and is the home of “black” rugby. The bottom line is that both athletics and rugby need to get their administrative houses in order, to negotiate from a position of strength when it comes to the stadiums and for a win-win scenario for stadium management, the players, spectators and the administration of the sports concerned.
Meanwhile some 200km down the road in Komani, where the business community also falls under the Border-Kei Chamber, Queen’s College is forging ahead and developing a new synthetic athletics track, with state of the art equipment rendering the stadium capable of hosting national meetings. I have seen a video clip of the progress and it is inspiring.
All sports lovers should be encouraged at the possibility of having two such facilities in the province. There are many thousands of youngsters participating in athletics.
This column tends to concentrate on the road running aspect of athletics which has enjoyed many superb seasons, but it could also do with an innovation boost, and an upgrade in competition in all its facets.
If road running can find solutions and track and field come away with two new upgraded homes, that will leave only cross country to be resuscitated. There is not a powerhouse in world athletics that does not have a strong cross country focus in both women’s and men’s competitions.
A promising 2023? I hope so and that all stakeholders remain positive in the chasing of dreams for all, particularly the bright-eyed youth.