Cam and Motor Stadium in a sorry state

By Lovemore Chazingwa in Kadoma
One of Kadoma’s sports stadiums, Cam and Motor, is in a deplorable condition with authorities seemingly overwhelmed by the situation, Nhau has established.

The former embodiment of football excellence in the city of gold is now a pale shadow of its former self.
A tour of the imposing structure on the northern outskirts of Eiffel Flats conducted by this news crew points to a total collapse of sporting infrastructure in general.

The stadium no longer has a perimeter fence, which was vandalised and stolen in broad daylight. This crew observed that there is no security personnel to safeguard the arena.
Kids have turned it into a play centre.

The central football pitch has now been turned into a marshy grassland, what with the incessantly pounding rains. Surrounding track and field facilities seem non-existent.
Changing rooms and ablution facilities are now rundown while dilapidated grand stands exhibit thirst for use.

Asked for an insight on the situation, football legend Richard Mapanda said: “We’re doing injustice to this facility and the community. The people should benefit from this investment but, it’s no longer the case. We wanted to bring back the glory to this stadium with my colleagues, Raphael Phiri, Joseph Zulu, Abinol Matsiwe and Mutyavaviri among others.

“However, our efforts have been hampered by the coronavirus lockdown.”
The famed former striker is among legends that illuminated Kadoma during his footballing career.
According to a management source at Town House, gold mining company, RioZim, has pledged to assist with refurbishments.

“RioZim pledged to upgrade it after their team, Cam and Motor FC, was promoted into Division One in the 2018 season. Then their team hosted home matches at Rimuka Stadium, about 10 kilometers from their base.”
Efforts to get a comment from town clerk Malvern Dondo hit a snag as he is reportedly unwell. Mayor Action Nyamukondiwa could not be reached for a comment.

The same source told Nhau that “the issue of this stadium is on the agenda”.
“We were consulted when Cam and Motor FC was promoted into D1 by RioZim management for them to use Rimuka Stadium for their home matches. What we reasoned out is that it is better to upgrade Cam and Motor Stadium and play matches there.

“As we were holding budget consultation meetings last November, residents here raised the issue. They even told us more concerns about this stadium. They made an impassioned plea for us to put it high on the development agenda. They said there were two boreholes for the stadium which are now obsolete,” the source revealed.

Probed on the financial quantum improvements on the facility may require, the source responded: “We did not do assessments to ascertain the bill of quantities. From my experience with other stadia, we may need US$50-60 000 for replacements. If we’re to upgrade further that may require double that amount.”

The family of another celebrated legend, John Rugg, who once coached and led Eiffel Flats FC to glory is willing to help.

“The family of John Rugg tabled a proposition to improve it to a state of the art stadium and name it after their father. As council, we were discussing the matter with them until Covid-19 hampered progress.
“The naming would be in honour and remembrance of their father’s contribution to football in the mining city.”

A rich history
A senior Kadoma resident that spoke to Nhau reminisced about the days they used to watch the Zimbabwe Warriors and big clubs like Dynamos, Highlanders, and Caps United troop into Cam and Motor.
“We used to watch our national team and the country’s big clubs do battle here. We miss those days,” said Abiot Mwale.

Stakeholders are mourning the death of the multi-sports centre.
“For the stadium to just lie idle in that state is an unpardonable disservice to the community. It was a company property but, was incorporated to city council including houses, the clinic and the bar. The deterioration is understood to have creeped in after council took over ownership,” businessman Clive Zulu opined.

Others think that it would be better if the stadium is run by independent owners.

“Alternatively, it can be handed to a football club, academy or the community. The community has an advantage of community ownership. An organisation will channel resources and maintain this arena. Council will get revenue from that set up. The major aim is for the community to benefit from this stadium.

“If well-maintained, it is a standard stadium but has deteriorated since council took over. For the record, it had flood lights.

For Eiffel flats to be known far and wide, it is because of this stadium. It’s demise contributed to the downfall of Eiffel Flats as a powerhouse in football.”
Sporting experts say the lack of sporting facilities has a negative bearing on social development.

“The lack of social recreation facilities in suburbs is contributing to moral decadence among the youth. Social development is on the rope,” said Malvern Dhliwayo a sports scientist based in Kadoma. Nhau/Indaba