Trade Fair closed until next year

MBABANE – The Manzini Municipal Council has moved quickly to close the bumpy Trade Fair Ground.

The closure is meant to enable the council to undertake a heavy reconditioning of the stadium, the bumpy surface has since been cultivated.

The Manzini Municipal Council Public Relations Officer Mathokoza Thwala said the closure was with effect from Monday and would last until January next year.

As a result the Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) has since shifted all games initially scheduled for the venue this weekend to other venues.

Thwala stated though that the upliftment of the pitch had not been prompted by any external pressure.

"I think we should state that we were under no pressure in deciding to upgrade the stadium. As a council we have noted the bumpy surfaces and we should have worked on them last season, but we couldn’t due to other commitments," he said.

Thwala appealed to stake-holders to have patience with his organisation during the period when the stadium is closed.

"We have a problem with people who demand the stadium even when it is closed. The facility will be available possible next year January."

The affected games are Friday’s MTN League match between Manzini Sundowns and XI Men, which has since been cancelled because the host team has three players in the COSAFA, bound Under-20 squad.

Other fixtures Saturday double header between Young Buffaloes against Mbabane Swallows which will now be held on Sunday at Somhlolo Stadium ahead of the Green Mamba vs Mbabane Highlanders clash.

Meanwhile, the one pitting Manzini Wanderers and Malanti Chiefs has been switched to Somhlolo Stadium on Saturday, and would be curtain raised by Royal Leopards against Top Lotto/PLS Cup finalists Umbelebele Cosmos.

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