By: Our reporter
Minister of Youths and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire has told the August House that President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration will soon complete the construction of Zingwangwa and Soche modern stadiums in the commercial City Blantyre.
Mkandawire said this when he was reacting to Chikwama West legislator, Susan Dossi who was asking his ministry on its plan on the “old” Kamuzu stadium.
“Madam Speaker, thanks for giving me an opportunity to ask supplementary question to the ministry of sports. I want to know what plans do they have to Kamuzu stadium as we have noted that not all stands are operations,” asked Dossi.
Dossi added that the new Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president, Fleetwood Haiya vision is to transform the game.
“People of Blantyre have been unable to watch the games and the new FAM president talked about transforming the game thru infrastructures. We want to know what govt has planned on Kamuzu stadium,” she added.
In his a minute response, Minister of Sports Uchizi Mkandawire while asking for calm from Blantyre residents said Chakwera’s administration is aware that Kamuzu stadium which was constructed during Malawi Congress Party (MCP) era is old and leaved its life span.
“Madam Speaker madam, let me thank member of Chikwawa West for having interest in Kamuzu stadium issue. I want to inform the member that my ministry is constructing two stadiums in Blantyre, Zingwangwa and Sochi in order to reduce the pressure,” he responded.
Adding “the Chakwera’s administration is in the process of constructing of a new Kamuzu stadium. But while doing that, we are constructing two stadiums in Blantyre.”
Social commentator, Jackson Msiska who is also the executive director of Youth for Action Campaign (YAC) applauded the Minister of Sports saying under his leadership, the country’s sports activities have changed despite the financial deficit in the ministry.
Speaking in a telephone interview,Msiska said he believe that with the current ministry of sports leadership, the country sports activities will be at international level.
“I also followed the deliberations but was happy to hear what the Minister of Sports said. He is indeed after changing the country’s sports activities. Chakwera need to have more people like him,” he added.
FAM new President Haiya was invaluable for a comment.
