Behold, high standards that make Khumalo Stadium shine

Maryann Nkeiruku, centre, dribbles from Evelyn Uwaegboe of Nigeria. [PHOTO: ELIZABETH MBURUGU]

Zimbabwean clubs have not been exceptional in the ongoing Africa Hockey Cup of Club Championships (ACCC) taking place at Khumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. But the high quality of their hockey pitch indicates their commitment to the sport.

Khumalo is a high standard hockey stadium that has two grounds. The main AstroTurf stadium is a 10, 000-seater that also has a sand-based training pitch, which is equally good and has hosted high profile matches. Built in 1995 when it hosted All Africa Games, it was refurbished in 2011 prior to the Olympic qualifiers. The stadium boasts an automatic watering system, unlike our City Park Stadium, which is watered manually, remaining soggy moments later, Khumalo is the opposite. It is in perfect condition and one can not tell if it has been watered or not! Quite smooth you must say and it has powerful floodlights to boot, which illuminate as far as three kilometres away. Now that is your ideal stadium there.