After failing to meet deadlines, government sets another target for National Sports Stadium’s return

After initially earmarking June for the completion of renovations at the National Sports Stadium, the government now says the giant facility will be completed in the first quarter of 2026.

This deadline is the latest addition to the numerous ones that the government has missed, resulting in the national football teams playing home matches outside the country.

Speaking at the post-cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Sports, Arts, Recreation and Culture Minister Anselem Sanyatwe said the National Sports Stadium will be completed before the commencement of the 2026 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

“I have personally witnessed the contractors working flat out day and night and I have given them the deadline for them to complete.

“The work is supposed to be completed by the beginning of the 2026 season. I have given them time to tie up the loose ends, so to be precise, it should be before the beginning of the season,” said Sanyatwe.

The National Sports Stadium has been undergoing renovations for the past three years, but the work has been progressing at a snail’s pace, prolonging the return of international football to the country.

Sanyatwe, like his predecessor, Kirsty Coventry, has on numerous occasions failed to meet his own deadlines for the return of international football.

Presenting a report at a pre-budget seminar in Bulawayo last month, the chairperson for the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture, Farai Jere, said Zimbabwe is incurring significant losses by hosting international matches outside the country.

Minister of Information, Jenfan Muswere also said the majority of areas had been given a facelift.

“Works on electricals are 90 percent complete, ablution facilities (58 percent), turnstiles (65 percent) and water reticulation (90 percent),” said Muswere. *_-NewZimbabwe_*