Sports lovers in the Vhembe District are excited about the construction of three stadiums in villages under the jurisdiction of the Thulamela Municipality.

The Head of Sport in the Thulamela Municipality, Mr Ronald Makhadi, said the construction of the stadiums is underway at Tshikombani, Tshifulanani and Mudavula Village. He said the grand stands will accommodate 1 000 people each, but a large number of spectators will also be able to sit on the open side of the field. “Contractors will plant grass, build clubhouses, showers and swimming pools and sink boreholes. All three projects will cost in the region of R13 million rands,” Makhadi said.

“At Tshikombani, contractors are building an adult swimming pool. Swimming pools for the youth are being built at Mudavula and Tshifulanani. We have already built sports grounds at Saselemane and Gondeni. We will also apply for more funds from the Lottery to develop our sports infrastructure,” he added.

Makhadi said the region has talent in abundance and “we need to have proper facilities to develop these talents.” He further said the Tshikombani project will finish at the end of September this year and the Mudavula and Tshifulanani projects will finish in March 2007.

“These projects are reducing the unemployment rate in the Thulamela Municipality area. The Tshikombani project employs 85 people, and others have employed more than a hundred,” he added.