Mavuso Sports Centre slashes fees for AE athletes

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The Mavuso Sports Centre will today stage the second qualifiers of the Senior National Track and Field Championships. Meanwhile, the venue’s Senior Marketing Officer, Mangaliso Mkhatshwa, neither confirmed nor denied any rate adjustments for athletes.

“Since a rate was agreed for all AE athletes across the kingdom, the rate has not changed. Due to client confidentiality, we cannot simply disclose the rate which has been agreed between the two organisations. We can say, however, that the rate is one which currently allows an unlimited number of AE athletes to access the facility at an affordable fee,” Mkhatshwa said.

Notable is that various entities, such as sports associations use the facility. Among these is the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE), AE, swimming and basketball. In the domestic elite football season that ended last weekend, it cost around E2 000 plus 20 per cent off the gross gate collections for teams to host a single match.

Reached for comment, AE only applauded the new pricing rate. Victor ‘Mavikane’ Dlamini, AE’s Communications Officer said the latest move would allow an increased number of athletes to train together. “We are happy with the improvement of the unfolding of the whole issue, and it now seems affordable. They will be able to train in groups or teams, which will also boost their morale and performances. However, it still looks tricky for individuals,” Dlamini said briefly.

Meanwhile, one of the athletics club coaches who did not want to be named expressed their excitement over the latest development.

“A big thank you goes to EIPA and AE on this. It shows their commitment in their urge to strengthening sports in the country. I will now be able to have my top athletes train there once in while, ahead of major competitions,” the coach said.

He added that they needed the easy access of Mavuso after the digression in their athletes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.