BY BRIDGET MABANDA
Former Harare City Council Mayor, Jacob Mafume has handed over the Rufaro Stadium project to the new Mayor, Ian Makone after a tour of the home football in the capital.
Speaking at the hand over take over event, Mafume said he is confident that soccer will return to Rufaro Stadium as he will be working together with new Mayor.
“The first phase of this process was completed and I am happy that there is continuity between myself and his worship Cllr Ian Makone. We come from the same party and we are very keen to see the project being completed.
“We came here as part of our handover and takeover processes where we brief each other about where things were and where things are going,” said Mafume.
He said everything will continue as before because the council will be working on what the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) recommended.
Mayor Makone pledged to continue with the Rufaro Stadium renovations.
He said Recreation and Sport is important to the residence and Council is seized with the matter as a priority area and they have budgeted for that to come to fruition.
“I look forward that very soon we will be inviting stakeholders for inspection. Managing the City is a complex matter and we have to respond to the requirements of all stakeholders in the Metropolitan,” he added.
He said Rufaro Stadium is part of the council’s 100-day plan and it is their anticipation that all the remaining work that need to be done to make this place functional can be accomplished within that period.
Rufaro stadium last hosted Premium Soccer League matches in 2019 and was condemned by ZIFA due to its dilapidated state.
