By Robert Nayeja
Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire on Wednesday presided over the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of Nsanje Stadium after Football Association of Malawi (FAM) sourced funds from the world football governing body, FIFA to the tune of K500 million.
Mkandawire said government is looking forward to the completion of the sporting facility for the good of sports development in districts and other rural areas.
He added that government will continue constructing such sporting facilities in all districts and towns to improve football and other sporting activities.
He cited construction of the Griffin Sayenda Sports Complex and an aquatic sports centre in Lilongwe as part of government commitment towards sports development.
“We want to improve all sporting activities in the country by making sure that we have reliable facilities to take sports to another level.
“There were a lot of speculations about Nsanje Stadium project but finally construction works will start,” said Mkandawire who applauded FAM for securing funds from FIFA to construct the stadium.
FAM President, Walter Nyamilandu was delighted that the dream of constructing the stadium in Nsanje has come to reality and was looking forward to competitive football in the lower and elite leagues.
“Football is in local communities. We want to make sure that we provide necessary facilities in the rural communities because good infrastructure is very important in the game of football,” he said.
Nyammilandu added that Malawi has a lot of skilled young people but lack of good sports infrastructure compromises the game of football.
Nsanje District Council Chairperson, Mike Kafalachi assured communities in the district that the council will provide necessary support for successful and timely completion of the stadium.
“We have been waiting for this development for so long. Once the stadium is completed we will take good care of it so that it should continue serving the people of Nsanje,” he said.
Kafalachi expressed hope that the stadium will also widen the council’s revenue base.
Blithe Construction Company is expected to construct the stadium within a five month period.
Upon completion, Nsanje stadium is expected to spur competitive football in the district and other parts in the southern region.