Africa-Press – Malawi. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has said the future of Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers stadiums will be determined after the completion of priority sports projects under construction in Lilongwe. The two projects stalled last year after the government did not allocate funds.
Ministry of Youth and Sports Spokesperson Allie Kalichero was coy on the future of the projects, saying priority was on the projects earmarked to facilitate hosting of the 2022 Africa Union Region 5 Games.
“The priority is on the projects that are very important for Malawi to host the AU Games. The focus is now on the sports projects so that we are ready for the Games next year,” he said yesterday.
As part of preparations for AU Region 5 Games, government is constructing Griffin Saenda Sports Complex in Area 48 and Aquatic Sports Complex at Kamuzu Institute for Sports in Area 17.
In a separate interview, Wanderers acting Public Affairs Manager, Ernest Maganga, said they will make a follow up on the project. “We are equally worried that the project has stalled. There is no communication from the government on the matter,” Maganga said.
Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga said it was frustrating that the project had stalled. “We know that one day the project will be completed. But we do not know when as we are just recipients of the project,” Chigoga said.
In the 2019/20 National Budget, government allocated K1.6 billion for the projects. However, then the projects were estimated to cost K7 billion. China Civil Engineering Construction Company was constructing Bullets stadium whereas Anhui Foreign Economic Construction (Group) Company was chosen for Nomads project.
The two Blantyre giants have been homeless for over 50 years and they scramble for the government-owned Kamuzu Stadium, using it as their home ground for their matches in all competitions.
Apart from Kamuzu Stadium, government also owns Bingu National Stadium, Civo Stadium, Mzuzu Stadium and community stadiums in Kasungu, Mulanje, Karonga, Ntcheu and Rumphi. At the end of every match, government gets 25 percent of gate revenue as ground levy in all competitions.
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