The local sport fraternity has decried the poor state of the Maun Sports Complex, which currently needs urgent refurbishment.
Fears are that failure to maintain the dilapidating facility region may impede the growth of sports in the region. Times Sports reporter, Kgosietsile Bontsi engaged some of those aggrieved by the state of affairs.
Cubs Sporting Club coach Bikie Baraki who recently attended a coaching course at the complex complained that the artificial lawn has been damaged, adding that this has the potential to negatively affect the performance of its users.
Baraki said more often they have observed that some of the facilities such as toilets are in bad condition, and people are forced to look elsewhere for ablutions.
“In most cases when we were attending the coaching courses at the complex we used to find bottles and pins on the ground that were left by revellers during entertainment events, this situation is bad because those objects may be hazardous to those using the ground for sporting activities,” he added.
Baraki urged the Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC) to act urgently to restore the facility, suggesting the replacement of the artificial lawn and appointment of a private company that will take care of the ablution block.
Sankoyo Bush Bucks Welfare Manager, Collen Sebako also decried the terrible state of the complex indicating that the artificial lawn has long passed its sell by date.
He further revealed that the complex is the only one, country wide that has not been refurbished, while those in Molepolole and Serowe have already been attended to.
“The situation is very bad because even the dressing rooms have no water and electricity; the teams wear their kits outside of the rooms. The situation affects all teams using the complex whether their home or away games,’ he further opined.
According to him, what is more painful is the fact that teams using the complex are still charged even though the facility remains in a bad state.
Maun BDF Athletics Club coach, Meleko Ndolo has also suggested that the complex needs to be maintained because it holds water during the rainy season.
For his part, Nhabe Regional Football Association Chairman, Norman Sebele said though they have not received reports from their teams they have however also observed that the facilities such as the ablutions have not been in a good state for the longest period of time.
He said that they are aware that the facility is not in a good condition therefore needs to be renovated. Sebele added that the situation means that the teams that book to play their games in the complex play at their own risk.
Meanwhile, BNSC Business Development and Property Manager, Makuke Makuke refuted some of the complains arguing that they recently toured the complex and from their observation the facility was in a good condition.
He said that as the commission they always ensure that the maintenance team is appointed to refurbish the facilities that are in a bad condition adding that currently there is an on-going maintenance project at the site. On the issue of poor artificial turf Makuke acknowledged that they are aware about the situation as such they are currently assessing it and they will prioritise it to be replaced in the next financial year.
