The much-anticipated project for the construction of a stadium in Kazungula that is facilitated by the Botswana Football Association (BFA) is expected to commence before October this year.
This was revealed by BFA Vice President Maokaneng Bontshetse in an interview with this publication over the weekend. According to Bontshetse, the project survey has complied with all the FIFA requirements and has been approved for funding.
Bontshetse told Times Sport that he is hopeful that the construction of the stadium will commence as planned and that funds have been allocated to BFA, while the plot for the stadium has been allocated in Kazungula.
“This project will be done in different stages. I can assure you that the construction process will start before the end of October if not delayed by the contractors. The funds have been allocated to BFA and awaiting the tender to be awarded to the contractors,” he said.
Bontshetse said other than BFA’s Lekidi Centre, the Kazungula Stadium will be the second state-of-the-art facility that would mark a greater milestone for the association in its journey to develop football. He further stated that besides those projects FIFA has approved other projects for funding that will be built in Shakawe and Mahalapye.
“We are trying by all means to build such projects where there is a shortage of facilities, that is the case in Kasane/Kazungula where many teams play their matches at Kasane Prisons grounds,” he said.
In an interview, Chobe Regional Football Association (CHORFA) Chairman Tshegofatso Balisi said that they have long requested and awaited the stadium project from BFA. He stated that the project is a welcome development as it would address the shortage of suitable grounds in their region.
Balisi is of the view that with the availability of such a stadium, football in the region will develop resulting in the emergence of talented players who would represent Chobe at tin national teams and the Botswana Premier League.
Meanwhile, BFA Secretary General Mfolo Mfolo previously told Times Sports that through the Kazungula Stadium, they intend to take quality football to the far-flung communities of Botswana and nurture its development. He had stated that they will have a technical centre in the region that will be able to organise four nations’ tournaments with neighbouring countries to bring activity evolution within the Chobe communities.
