AT the start of the current, Covid-delayed National First Division season – which soon changed its name to the GladAfrica Championship – I raised a number of serious issues.
Against the contrary opinions of many of the region’s populace, I defended the action of the local and district municipality in contributing substantial funds to support Richards Bay FC’s campaign and the development soccer in general.
I saw this as an investment that would not only advance the careers of young local players, but could promote the city into an extremely lucrative situation should the team gain Premier Soccer League status.
Despite playing to empty stadiums as the Covid pandemic ruled out spectators, the Natal Rich Boyz have shone throughout the season and the recent dip in results has not taken the gloss off their tremendous achievements.
We are just a few days away from knowing if they will fight it out in the PSL promotion-relegation play-offs by finishing in second or third spot.
The last time the city and region enjoyed this level of excitement and anticipation was in the 2016/2017 season when Thanda Royal Zulu won the NFD.
However, the financially bankrupt Amabhubesi sold the franchise to AmaZulu and we were back to square one.
Four years later, thanks to the vision and professionalism of the owners, technical team and players, we stand at the edge of the same PSL prospect.
This time, though, my fear is not that we will be forced to sell, but that we might be forced to play our PSL home games elsewhere owing to the disgraceful state of the uMhlathuze Stadium, which has steadily fallen apart and poses a health and safety risk to players and staff.
Built ahead of the 2010 World Cup, the stadium was once our pride and joy, especially the lush turf that was described as the best in the country.
It remains a fine field, but the building itself is appalling, as a visit after any reasonable amount of rain will confirm.
Water cascades downward from the roof through the porous concrete seating, down walls and into electric lights and plugs – and even into the power mains box itself.
Players stand on change room benches to avoid the ankle deep water on the dressing room floors.
The PSL authorities warned over a year ago that matches may have to be forfeited unless urgent repairs were done.
Budgets were allocated but the corrective action has never happened, and that threat still hangs above us like the Sword of Damocles.
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