The Somhlolo National Stadium, a key venue for football in Eswatini, will be unavailable for Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) fixtures for at least two consecutive weeks. This unavailability has prompted teams such as Mbabane Highlanders AM and Mbabane Swallows to seek alternative venues for their matches. The stadium's closure is due to its booking for other events, including the Sicojeni Foundation's 10th End Hunger Walk and the Imbube Marathon.
The PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pat Vilakati, confirmed that the stadium is booked for the coming two weeks. The End Hunger Walk is scheduled for Sunday, October 11, and the Imbube Marathon will take place on Saturday, October 17. As a result, teams that were set to host their matches at Somhlolo will have to play elsewhere. Mbabane Highlanders AM will host their match against Royal Leopard at Mayaluka Stadium, while Mbabane Swallows will co-host with Pigg's Peak Black Swallows at Killarney Sports Ground.
The Prince of Wales Sports Ground is also not available due to ongoing upgrades, and the Mavuso Sports Centre turf is recovering after hosting a recent tournament. The Mavuso Sports Centre has been a preferred venue this season due to its safety and security features, as well as its convenient location for fans. However, its unavailability has added to the challenges faced by the PLE in scheduling matches.
The cost of utilizing the Somhlolo National Stadium is E10,000 per event. The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs has highlighted the importance of using the stadium, citing its safety and security features. The stadium has hosted games in every match week of the PLE season so far, including MTN Premier League and MulaSport National First Division (NFD) fixtures.
The unavailability of Somhlolo National Stadium and other venues has forced teams to seek alternative grounds. This has resulted in some teams having to travel longer distances to play their matches. The PLE is working to ensure that the league continues smoothly despite the challenges.
The Imbube Marathon, scheduled for October 17, is expected to draw a large crowd, and the Somhlolo National Stadium is the designated venue. The event is a major road race in Eswatini, and its staging at Somhlolo will likely attract significant attention.
The closure of Somhlolo National Stadium for two weeks highlights the challenges faced by sports administrators in Eswatini in scheduling events. The PLE and other stakeholders will need to work together to ensure that the league continues without major disruptions.
Key points
- Somhlolo National Stadium in Eswatini will be closed for two weeks due to scheduled events.
- The closure has forced Premier League matches to be relocated to alternative venues.
- The stadium's unavailability is due to its booking for the Sicojeni Foundation's End Hunger Walk and the Imbube Marathon.
