MARONDERA- Despite making several assurances to stakeholders, the Municipality of Marondera is
yet to take notable steps towards the rehabilitation of Rudhaka Stadium, which, according to the
country’s football authorities, does not meet minimum standards to host competitive football
matches.
At different times, sponsors of football teams from the Castle Larger Premier Soccer League as well
as Division 1 and 2 promised to engage council and assist in renovating the stadium but nothing has
materialised from the proposals.
In years gone by, the stadium was used as a home ground for matches by former Premier Soccer
League teams such as the now-defunct Eagles FC and Douglas Warriors that were owned by
prominent banker Stan Kudenga and the late businessman Douglas Tanyanyiwa respectively.
The stadium also hosted several Eastern Region Division 1 and Zifa Mashonaland East Division 2
teams and popular musicians would serenade their fans at the stadium before its standards
deteriorated.
Interestingly, there are council’s health, housing and community services committee meeting
minutes that indicate the local authority’s purported willingness to refurbish the stadium.
It was reported that for the stadium to have Premier Soccer League status, there were things that
needed to be done which were as follows: The perimeter wall needed to be either repaired, which
would be temporal, or have a new brick wall installed.
The changing rooms must have secure doors, be fitted with 12 individual showers that have privacy.
(It) must have an officials boardroom to fit 12 people, male and female referees changing rooms as
well as a television set.
The walk out tunnel must separate the players and officials from the fans, turnstiles must be fitted
around the perimeter wall in a manner that avoids congestion, ablution facilities must be erected at
convenient sites around the stadium, the perimeter fence must be 1.2 metres in height for public
safety and the perimeter entry gate must be repaired.
The director of housing and community services Justin Chivavaya highlighted the need to prioritise
the refurbishment of the stadium at a time the City of Harare has engaged partners to refurbish
Rufaro and Gwanzura Stadiums in the capital.
Contacted for comment on the latest position regarding the issue of renovating Rudhaka, Mayor
Simbarashe Nyahuye said it remained their priority but a lack of funds to channel to the project had
stalled meaningful progress.

He said: “We want to renovate the stadium to meet requirements expected for it to host
competitive matches but we don’t have funds for that. As council, we are focusing on channeling the
little resources that we get towards key service delivery aspects such as providing water, refuse
collection and other essentials.
“The situation is being worsened by some private players who promise to partner us to renovate the
stadium but do not fulfil what they say. Hopefully, we will find a serious partner in the near future.”