HARARE – Contractors working on essential upgrades to Zimbabwe’s National Sports Stadium have halted all activities due to non-payment, stalling efforts to meet FIFA standards over three years after the facility was first banned.
Upgrade efforts have come to a standstill, with work ceasing in March after initial progress in January and February. Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry expressed frustration over the impasse, citing extensive efforts to secure promised funds from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion.
“I have had numerous conversations, meetings, and letters with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion where the releases have been promised and have yet to date not been released,” Coventry told Members of Parliament on Wednesday. “Hence the contractors that were on site in January, February, and sometime in March have now stopped all works until they are paid.”
The stadium’s refurbishment has faced multiple setbacks, including rejected tenders and retendering due to inflated costs. The facility was initially banned by CAF from hosting senior teams’ matches in 2020.
Zimbabwe’s stadia are currently uncertified to host international football, forcing the national team to play home matches abroad. The national team is set to resume their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Group C campaign on June 7, hosting Lesotho at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, followed by a match against South Africa in Bloemfontein four days later.
Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman and Zanu PF Murehwa West MP, Farai Jere, raised the issue during Parliament’s Wednesday Question and Answer session. He emphasized the negative impact on Zimbabwe’s image.
“Madam Speaker Ma’am, I think you are aware that our national team is playing a home game against Lesotho away on the 7th of June. What is the Ministry doing to disburse funds for the refurbishment of the National Sports Stadium? As a Committee, we toured the National Sports Stadium this morning.
We could see the commitment from the Ministry of Sports. Trenches have been dug there, but nothing is happening and they are becoming a danger to people. What is the Ministry of Finance’s plan in making sure that the funds are released for this important project in line with President Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa’s call of image building because if we play a match away from home, it is not good for the image of the country?” Jere queried.
The Deputy Speaker redirected the question to Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry, who explained that her ministry had been knocking on the Finance Ministry’s door for funding but all promises made so far had come to nought.
“As he mentioned, there was a tour done today and also last week by the Hon. Vice President Mohadi. In terms of how I can proceed to answer, it will be how we shared and what we shared with the Hon. Members today. From the Ministry of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, there were tenders that went up last year,” Coventry said.
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“These tenders were signed and agreed to. The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion agreed to release money and yet today we still do not have money,” Coventry explained.
“I have had numerous conversations, meetings, and letters with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion where the releases have been promised and have yet to date not been released. Hence the contractors that were on site in January, February, and sometime in March have now stopped all works until they are paid.
“Hon. Speaker, that is the update that I can give until the Ministry receives adequate funding release from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion. The Ministry’s responsibilities of tendering, upholding tenders, and coming in from a technical expertise standpoint are open – we now await the releases to ensure that the contractors can fulfill their duties,” she said.
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