Richard Nkosi

Richard Nkosi

Three stadiums in municipalities under Ehlanzeni District Municipality in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga will receive artificial pitches.

Emjindini Stadium (Umjindi), KaMhlushwa (Nkomazi) and Mashishing (Thaba Chewu) will benefit from the EDM 2010 legacy project.

Mduduzi Nkosi, EDM deputy manager of programmes and support, said laying of the artificial pitches is expected to begin later this month.

"The aim of the legacy project is to ensure that all communities under the EDM benefit from the coming 2010 World Cup event even long after it has gone. We are expecting the laying of the artificial pitches to be completed before June this year," he said.

The addition of the three artificial pitches will add to the only one existing in the province - at Thulamahashe Stadium in Bushbuckridge.

Thulamahashe, which is situated in the Bohlabela District Municipality, recently underwent a major facelift to the tune of R1,8 million which included the fitting of artificial turf.

Nkosi said Ehlanzeni District Municipality is also assisting in the renovations of KaNyamazane and KaBokweni stadiums.

The two stadiums will be used as official World Cup training grounds by teams who will be playing their games at Mbombela Stadium during the global event next year.

Nkosi said the legacy project is also involved in awareness campaigns for the World Cup in the province.