The Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) stated that the delay was due to the emergency works, which had to be carried out at the University of Botswana (UB) Stadium besides delays in negotiating the contract for the works. The stadium was closed for more than a year for refurbishments.
The stadium refurbishment project involves re-grassing of the pitch. The renovations of SSKB and UB stadium were supposed to be done concurrently by a single contractor, but it was later decided that priority should be given to the UB facility, as it was the venue for the Southern African Athletics event and the Zebras’ friendly against New Zealand.
BNSC is currently making final preparations with the facility owners, the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), for work to start. The cost of the renovation or the name of the contractor is not yet revealed. The work at SSKB Stadium is expected to be over by late 2009.
The SSKB is one of the three stadiums being renovated to lure countries coming for the 2010 World Cup to train in Botswana, prior to the soccer showpiece.
SSKB Stadium is used mostly for football matches and serves as the home stadium of Botswana Defence Force XI. The stadium holds 5,000 people.
