The Mangosuthu University of Technology state-of-the-art multi-purpose sport facility at its main campus, in Umlazi township is expected to boost township economy and tourism.

The facility which is expected to attract national sporting events, particularly athletics and soccer, was unveiled last week and the varsity management is making final touches on use regulations by outside bodies before opening it for booking.

Speaking at the unveiling, Lubabalo Ngcaweni, the institution’s Infrastructure Director, said the facility was more than just brick and mortar but it is a dream realised because every completed project is a major win for his department.  

“Today, my MUT community has a beautiful, functional sports facility. This is a massive facility where sportsmen and women from nine different sporting codes will showcase their skills. These codes are soccer, rugby, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put, hammer throw, athletics (track events), and steeple chase with water jump,” said Ngcaweni.

He stated that the facility meets national standards, and is only a few steps away from being classified as an international standard facility. He said that despite not yet meeting the international standard, the facility remains one of the most advanced university sports facilities nationally, which his institution should be proud of. 

The facility is expected to boost the township economy through tourism by hosting national athletics competition events and other various sporting competitions such as lower division football leagues. Apart from the sports field, the institution also has a student sports centre which can be used to cater for guests lunch while attending the sporting events. There is also 5000 standing capacity Dr Pixley kaSeme hall which is used by outside communities for social events.

The sports field will also benefit Umlazi schools and the township’s sports organisation and it will host the fourth edition of the institution’s Schools Community Cup next year.

The competition which includes soccer, netball and chess was established three years ago by the institution where it selects the best performing schools in matric and primary schools. The requirement is that a school must obtain between a 80 and 100 percent pass rate.

willem.phungula@inl.co.za

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