Fresh plans for Rufaro refurbishment
REFURBISHMENT of Rufaro Stadium is expected to improve following the decision by Harare City Council to reinstate Rufaro Marketing as a source of funding.
Rufaro Marketing, which operates a chain of beerhalls across the city, was originally the main source of funding for the venue.
However, most of the beerhalls run by Rufaro Marketing had become white elephants following years of neglect and some were even leased to individuals for private business. The net effect has been reduced revenue for the municipality and the non-maintenance of other infrastructure including Rufaro Stadium.
Resultantly, the ground gradually deteriorated into an eyesore and was banned from hosting even local Premiership matches.
But there is newly-found hope that once fully refurbished, the stadium will be kept in its developed state as the Rufaro Marketing project has been resuscitated.
Harare mayor Jacob Mafume confirmed that Rufaro Marketing will be heavily involved in the maintenance of the stadium together with giants Dynamos and CAPS United, who are expected to be given longterm leases for the ground.
He was addressing the media at the stadium on Tuesday.
“We have electronic turnstiles which were manufactured by our sister company Rufaro Marketing.
“This stadium was named Rufaro after this company.
“It was built in the main by proceeds from beer sales.
“Back then Rufaro Private Limited used to be the biggest beer company in Zimbabwe,” said Mafume.
“It had beerhalls across all suburbs. We are in the process of retaking and re-constituting Rufaro Private Limited. This subsidiary is involved in the refurbishment and subsequent maintenance of the Rufaro Stadium. We are now back in control of all the 196 bars.
“We have retrieved all those bars and tenants are already paying with part of the refurbishment at Rufaro being funded by this company”.
Mafume said council will incorporate a shopping mall just behind the spruced up VIP parking.
“The car park which has already been done will also incorporate a shopping mall as we have decided to turn the stadium into a multiplex just like all the stadiums in the world.”
He said the Harare City Council will engage Government to see how they can work together to for the improvement of football stadia in the country.
“We shall have to sit down with different Government ministries to ask and solicit for any assistance that can give us and help us to get this stadium upgraded to international standards,” said Mafume.
“If you look at the stadium that the Warriors played against Rwanda and Nigeria in
Rwanda, you will see that we are not far off. You will realise that it is the “finishing” which has been letting us down, in terms of the changing rooms, the access to the stadium and so forth.
“But once we get it right I think this structure will hold its own in terms of matching international standards”.
The stadium is scheduled to re-open its gates in February when it hosts a Harare Derby show-down between Dynamos and CAPS United when the two giants battle it out in the Mayor’s Cheer Fund Cup.
However, the venue will not be hosting any evening games this season with flood lights only to be attended to in the second phase of the refurbishment around November and December.
“We will only be able to do the floodlights in the second phase of the renovations, which will be at the end of the 2024 Premiership season.
“Then we will start having evening matches.”
CITY Academy are looking forward to raising the Zimbabwean flag high when they take part in a three-day tournament organised by the Provincial Football Association of Manica in Chimoio from Friday to Sunday.
The Academy managed to secure partnerships with Petex Branding, Yum Yum, and Multiplus Electricals, who are sponsoring the trip.
City Academy have toured neighbouring countries and Europe as well where they have established relationships with top clubs like Manchester City in England, Juventus in Italy, Barcelona in Spain, and Ajax in the Netherlands.
In July the Academy is scheduled for a trip for the Portugal Ibercup tournament, which is regarded as one of the best developmental tournaments in the world.
Director Agripa Guti said they are confident of bringing the trophy from Mozambique at the weekend.
“Our target is to raise the Zimbabwean flag high and show that we have talent in Zimbabwe. Our expectations are to bring the trophy home.
“We would like to thank everyone, who has come forward to partner with us including Petex Branding, Multiplus Electricals, and Yum Yum for assisting us on this journey since most of our kids are underprivileged and vulnerable.
“So we are grateful for them stretching a helping hand to us and as an Academy but we are still open to well-wishers and other sponsors who might also want to chip in,” he said.
The academy’s partners believe in enriching the lives of youths through sport in a bid to help them escape the vices that are ruining young lives mainly drugs and substance abuse.
“As an organization we believe in enriching
THE Zimbabwe quintet of Robson Chinhoi, Nyasha Muyambo, Ben Follet-Smith and Stuart Krog are expected to tee off in the first Sunshine Tour tournament of 2024 this morning. The Zimbabweans are part of the field that will be battling for honours in the Mediclinic Invitational Tournament at Maccauavlei Golf Club in Free State, South Africa.
The tournament has a purse of R2 million. the lives of our young generation. Most young boys and girls are succumbing to drugs and substance abuse, prostitution among other unethical things in a bid to escape the harsh realities of life.
“Many have a deep passion for sport and have dreams of pursuing football as a career but they fail to achieve that due to lack of proper funding. That being the case, we have decided to bridge that gap by offering support to football academies like City Academy so that every child gets an equal opportunity to chase their dreams besides their background and financial status,”said Elizabeth Mukabeta of Petex Branding.
Multiplus Electrical representative Tendai Guidence Mudariki said this is an opportunity for their organisation to align their commitment to fostering creativity and learning within communities.
“We believe in supporting the arts and education. Sponsoring City Academy aligns with our commitment to fostering creativity and learning within our community,”he said.
“The tournament in Mozambique presents an exciting opportunity to empower and equip the juniors in several ways.
“It allows them to develop their sportsmanship, teamwork, and leadership skills, as they will be competing in a new and challenging environment.
“Additionally, the experience can provide exposure to different playing styles and strategies, fostering adaptability and resilience. The trip can also promote cultural exchange and under-standing, broadening the juniors’perspectives and enriching their overall growth and development,” he said.
Yum Yum representative, Abdul Manah Sheikh, said:
“We are supporting the initiative of City Academy to bring the young talent in front and play for the country and also fight drug and substance abuse through sport.”
Follet-Smith and Krog will be the first on the tee box at 7:50am.
Follet-Smith will play along with Anton Karlsson and Ryan Van Velzen while Krog will form his three-ball with Jake Redman and Luke Jerling.
Muyambo will be playing at 11:40 together with Richard Joubert and Travis Ladner.
Former Sunshine Tour winner Chinhoi who has been doing well on the circuit will tee-off at 12:40 together with Pieter Moolman and CJ Du Plessi