The Government is considering building a state of the art stadium in or around Gaborone during the current National Development Plan 11. This move is as a result of Botswana’s interest in hosting major international tournaments as the National stadium does not have the capacity for such.
Tlokweng, Kgatleng, Kweneng and Ramotswa are amongst the prospective and strong contenders for the construction of the stadium. Revelations of the 40 000 seating capacity stadium were brought to light at the Ntlo Ya Dikgosi on Friday, with most people applauding the move as a noble idea. “Mr Chairman it is indeed necessary to build a second stadium with a bigger carrying capacity in or around Gaborone. My Ministry is considering a 40 000 seating capacity stadium within the vicinity of Gaborone for the NDP 11. The challenge we are facing is the unavailability of land in this area,” revealed the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture Thapelo Olopeng, sparking several suggestions over where the envisaged stadium could be constructed.
“The stadium will be instrumental in facilitating the country’s possibility of hosting major international sport events such as Africa of Nations, AFRICAN Athletics Championships and Commonwealth Youth Games amongst others,” Olopeng added. Kgosi Nametso Kopelo of Molepolole Region revealed that a big of chunk of land sitting idle in Mogoditshane and suggested it could be a prospective place to erect the stadium.
On the other hand, the Chairman of Ntlo Ya Dikgosi said “We also have a chunk of land in Tlokweng, as well as Bakgatla and Balete.” Gaborone said there is no need for the Minister’s efforts to be put in jeopardy as there is plenty of land which is sitting idle.
While sport is a source of entertainment and leisure, it is also a source of income as evidenced by local successful athletes and footballers including 800m medalist Amos Nigel, 400m gold medalist Amantle Montsho and the legendary footballer Mogakolodi Tsotso Ngele plying his trade in South Africa. The Gaborone National stadium, a 25 000 seating capacity stadium, is not able to hold tournaments of international repute.
