BY OWN CORRESPONDENT
MBABANE- The Municipal Council of Mbabane has completed the renovation of the multi-purpose sports courts at Coronation Park, improving the facilities available to residents, sporting associations and the wider community.
Upgraded with modern surfaces, enhanced safety features, and revitalised facilities, this sports precinct represents a major step forward in Council’s commitment to urban wellness, youth empowerment, and inclusive municipal development.
The project forms part of the Council’s continued efforts to improve sports and recreation infrastructure, promote active lifestyles and expand opportunities for community participation in sport. The renovated courts accommodate basketball, netball, volleyball and tennis. The project also included upgrading the lighting system to energy-efficient LED technology.
The improvements are expected to enhance the usability of the sports precinct, providing a more suitable environment for training, recreational activities and competitive games. Sporting associations are already using the facilities to host league matches and tournaments.
The upgraded courts will also feature prominently during Mbabane Day 2026, scheduled for Saturday, 31 October, at Coronation Park. Celebrated under the theme “Our City. One Community. One Day,” the event will bring residents and visitors together to celebrate the capital’s sporting talent, cultural diversity, entrepreneurship and community spirit.
The Council invites residents, sports enthusiasts, community organisations and other stakeholders to visit Coronation Park during the celebrations and experience the improved facilities.
Coronation Park remains one of Mbabane’s important public recreation spaces, attracting an average of more than 300 people daily. In addition to its outdoor sports courts, the park offers a range of facilities, including a skate park, swimming pool and squash courts, making it a significant destination for sport, leisure and physical activity.
The Chief Executive Officer of Municipal Council of Mbabane, Gciniwe Fakudze, said the investment in the courts reflects the Council’s recognition that public infrastructure must serve not only the functional needs of a growing city but also contribute to the social wellbeing of its residents.
“Accessible and well-maintained recreational facilities provide opportunities for people of different ages and backgrounds to participate in physical activity, interact and build stronger community connections. The project also supports the Council’s strategic objective of improving sports and recreation infrastructure to promote social inclusion, as outlined in its development priorities,” she explained.
During the 2025/2026 reporting period, the Council continued implementing programmes aimed at encouraging physical fitness and community participation. These included the Age in Motion League Games, the Oval Keeps Fit Programme and the Kids’ Athletics Programme. The annual Mbabane Marathon also attracted more than 2 400 participants across its marathon and boot camp activities, demonstrating the potential of sporting initiatives to mobilise residents and corporate participants around healthy living.
The Olympic Day Run, which brought together 600 athletes from 10 primary schools in Mbabane in June 2025, further illustrated the importance of providing opportunities for young people to engage in organised sport.
Against this background, the rehabilitation of the Coronation Park courts represents a complementary investment in the physical facilities needed to sustain sporting participation and strengthen the city’s recreational offering.
The Council has indicated that the improvements will continue in phases. Phase Two of the project is planned for 2027 and will involve upgrading the remaining court to accommodate additional sporting codes. This will further broaden the range of sporting activities that can be supported at the precinct.
The Council views the development and maintenance of public recreation facilities as an important part of building an inclusive, liveable and vibrant capital city. By investing in these spaces, it aims to support organised sport while ensuring that residents have opportunities to pursue recreation and healthier lifestyles within their communities.
As Mbabane prepares for its annual city celebration, the upgraded courts provide an opportunity to showcase the role of public infrastructure in bringing people together. Mbabane Day 2026 will offer residents and visitors an occasion to engage with the city’s sporting, cultural and entrepreneurial activities while celebrating a shared sense of belonging.
(Courtesy Pic)
