Branton Matondo
Mutare-The current sorry state of Mutare City Council managed Sports Oval has dispatched a lot of profuse talk from the city’s sporting fraternity on the incapabilities of local authority to maintain recreational facilities that are fundamental to youth development in sport and social norms.
Just like the same old maintenance sorrows stories of Mhangura, Rufaro, Gwanzura, Baghdad, Cam and Motor and Torwood stadiums only to mention but a few, Sports Oval has grossly fallen under the same disarray.
An investigation on the history of maintenance indicated the theatre of Mutare football last saw proper and standard upkeep in the mid 90’s (1994 – 96).
At the moment, strip roads have infested the once green side of Mutare Old Township while the six stepped grand stands on the eastern side of the pitch, entrance points and dressing rooms have dilapidated beyond recognition.
It has become difficult for the young generation to believe that Sports Oval once hosted premier league matches, division one and academy football activities at one point being a home ground for now former Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Tanganda FC.
The former stadium to clubs like BAT Ramblers, Leeds Fc and Tanganda FC was used on a hiring basis whereby teams paid money to council for use.
At the moment academies (Under 12, 15, 17) and division two teams tussle in the red dusted pitch while division one side Manica Diamonds Juniors use the pitch for their day to day training sessions.
Former Amazulu, Highlanders and national soccer star Blessing Gumiso who was born and bred in Mutare said Sports Oval gave birth to football legends and it’s very sad how such a platform has become so desolate.
“Sports Oval used to be so green and it was every kid’s dream to play there. Security was always intact. When we were young we used to see talents like Farai” Haulage” Gumiso, Wonder “Hanzu” Masunde, Talkmore Matondo, Joy Zvekare, Gilbert Sithole, Philmon Chikodzore, Godfrey Masakure. It gave us the will to also play soccer in Sports Oval. Now there is nothing, no watering systems, people are using the pitch as a short cut to Mutare CBD and the devastating thing is that all that green is gone,” said Gumiso.
The former iBosso iBosso midfielder added that teens from Sakubva are falling to drugs because such recreational facilities are not being utilized and serving purposes.
“We achieved our dreams of playing PSL via Sports Oval and opened my academy here in South Africa but it all started in Sports Oval. I feel sorry for our kids who don’t have recreational facilities to start from. No wonder youth from Sakubva are falling to drugs and alcohol abuse because there is nowhere to socialize and share positive ideas,” added Gumiso.
Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Association (MRRA) leader Chief Svosve told this publication that the issue of desolate recreational facilities which had been topical off late has been passed to the city fathers and it is in the channels. He hinted on a face-lift guarantee.
“As MRRA, we passed the issue to council so that put it is considered a priority. Apparently, I was chairing the budget committee in the absence of the chair on September 16 when we had a meeting. We pushed the concern and it was well received. There are valid plans coming up to make sure resources are channelled towards revitalization of recreational facilities, starting with Sakubva stadium,” said Svosve.
Former Buffaloes, Black Rhinos, Mutare United and Zupco FC player Nyarai ‘Nyangwe’ Masunde said Sports Oval was once maintained by council employed grounds men but since the 90’s maintenance has been lacking.
“Back then the pitch was maintained by permanent grounds men. The pitch was watered almost daily but it has been ages since we last saw a grounds man. The situation is very bad.”
Basketball and tennis courts around Chinyausunzi area have also gone in complete disarray.
