SIISA SUFFERS PSLL BLLOW
BCM may lose out on hosting the Multichoice Diski Challenge ties
AGAIN, the Buffalo City Metro is at risk of losing another massive sport event after the Premier Soccer League (PSL) red-flagged the Sisa Dukashe Stadium for not meeting the expected standards.
The Mdantsane venue is scheduled to host the popular Multichoice Diski Challenge (MDC) to kickstart the festive season in style on December 3-4.
But that may not be happening after PSL national stadium inspector Ronnie Schloss expressed concern about the state of the venue following his visit late last week.
Schloss was particularly concerned with vandalised entry points at Sisa which poses a security risk.
Moreover, the pitch at its current state was unplayable.
Schloss issued BCM with the yellow card and threatened that it may soon turn to a red card should they fail to do the necessary refurbishments by the time he comes back for his next inspection.
In this regard, a high-ranking government delegation including BCM executive mayor Xola Pakati and provincial MEC for sport, recreation, arts and culture Pemmy Majodina were locked in a meeting yesterday to chart the way forward.
But they have few options but to fix Sisa speedily because a change of venue moving the MDC festival to Buffalo City Stadium in town is ruled out with the PSL having established the competition is one of township orientated since the whole idea is about the development of the beautiful game.
The no-nonsense Schloss said engagements were continuing with BCM with attempts to ensure the venue meets the requirements.
However, he emphasised that should BCM fail to shape up, they would leave the PSL with no choice but to take the event elsewhere.
“We are looking into the Sisa Dukashe Stadium issue closely and negotiations with the municipality are ongoing,” said Schloss.
“But in my last visit, the stadium as a whole did not meet the minimum requirements.” BCM spokesman Sibusiso Cindi said they were doing their best to ensure that the soccer feast featuring eight teams, including giants Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates MDC sides is hosted at Sisa Dukashe.
“There are plans in place [to address PSL concerns]. As BCMM we have developed an action plan including maintenance, herbicide application, fertilising, irrigation of the pitch which has been the main issue. These action plans will be completed in time,” said Cindi.
Majodina’s spokesman Andile Nduna said the MEC was happy with the plans in place and confident that Sisa Dukashe will meet the requirement in time.
Nduna commented: “BCM is leading on that front of ensuring that this prestigious tournament is hosted in the metro and we have confidence they will host a successful Diski Challenge.”
Losing the MDC would be a devastating blow to sport tourism in the BCM and the Eastern Cape as a whole.
This especially after the cancellation of the Legends Marathon 2016 and BCM having lost the Africa Open golf event.
Cindi believes this will not happen, saying: “BCMM is ready to host the MDC Festival.”
This is however not the first time the poor state of sport facilities in BCM have been in the spotlight.
In Just last year, Chippa United struggled to get the Buffalo City Stadium approved by the PSL since it too did not meet the standard until urgent refurbishments that saw it finally given the green light.
This therefore brings into question the effectiveness or even existence of the socalled “maintenance programme for the sport facilities” Cindi claims Buffalo City Metro has.