Government Says Zomba Stadium To Be Ready In Six Month

By Antony Isaiah Jr…….

Malawi Government has said that the rehabilitation of the Zomba Stadium is expected to be ready in six month time.

Local Government Minister, Richard Chimwendo Banda on Thursday paid a visit to the facility together with Super League of Malawi President, Fleetwood Haiya where he made the commitment.

Chimwendo said he was happy with the progress that has been made in rehabilitating Zomba Stadium which is expected to carry at least 11,000 spectators.

“We have different phases of the Stadium, we are no in phase two where we need to open the Stadium to a capacity of 11,000 people and we hope that come the next six months, the Stadium should be ready for the games.

“We are so much committed and we are making sure that funds are available for the project and we have the resources available for the second phase. The first and second phase has swallowed MK4.8 Billion but I can say that funds for the third phase is not available at the moment,” he said.

Chimwendo said the third phase will see the Zomba Stadium being carrying at least 20,000 spectators that can host any international game.

“That can go with quality, we are emphasising on the quality work. This is City whereby it deserves a quality Stadium and the government is committed to do that,” added Chimwendo.

Super League of Malawi President, Fleetwood Haiya has thanked the government for having interest in completing the rehabilitation of the Stadium.

“Am very excited that the Ministry of Local Government has showed the commitment. Am here on behalf of Red Lions who were complaining about the issue during our manifestos.

“I promised Red Lions that I will lobby the government to complete this very important project and am happy that today, the government has assured us.

“This is going to promote the game, Red Lions have been struggling and I believe that playing away from home has been one of their problems and we believe that with the completion of this project will help Eastern region football teams,” said Haiya.

The firm that is constructing Zomba Stadium in February said works on the facility could have been completed long ago had the government released required funds in time.

The project, which commenced in 2017, has stalled, forcing community members to take Zomba City Mayor Davie Maunde and Dec Construction Limited Managing Director Dan Elias Chale to task over the delay.

“There are a number of factors attributed to the delay of Zomba Stadium construction. If you recall, we started this project in 2017 and this year marks the fifth year, and not seven years as communicated. The major issue is funding. When you don’t have resources, it is quite difficult to complete a task,” he said.