Africa-Press – Malawi. Treasury has released K44 million for maintenance of Bingu National Stadium. The development comes as a timely relief for the Ministry of Youth and Sports after it closed the facility to complete renovations. The ministry’s Principal Secretary Oliver Kumbambe said Treasury released the money last week.
“We are pleased that the money is now there for us to complete the renovations. We believe that after the renovations, the stadium will meet Fifa requirements so that it can host international matches,” Kumbambe said.
The renovations come after Confederation of African Football (Caf) rejected the facility from hosting international matches due to its poor state. After two inspections, Caf made recommendations including improving the pitch’s quality, technical benches, furnishing of change rooms, the VIP area and also removing permanent advertising at the facility.
However, the facility hosted the Caf Champions League return match between Nyasa Big Bullets and South Africa’s Amazulu before opening its doors again for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Malawi and Zambia.
Sports analyst George Kaudza- Masina called on the ministry to speed up the renovations now that it has the money. “It is a big boost that the funds have finally been released. Our expectations are that the renovations will not take long to complete,” Kaudza-Masina said.
The banning of BNS forced the Flames to choose Orlando Stadium in South Africa as their home ground. One of the key conditions for certifying a stadium fit to host international matches is that its field of play must be green, smooth, levelled and in perfect condition for a top-level football match.
Another condition is that there must be two covered benches of high-quality material at high level, each with sitting room for at least 14 persons and positioned at least five meters from the touchline and one covered bench of high-quality material at pitch level with sitting room for four match officials.
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