FAM pushes for Kamuzu Stadium closure

Malawi (FAM) has declared the Kamuzu Stadium artificial pitch unfit to host matches and is pushing for the stadium’s closure, Nation On Sunday can reveal.

“The life-span of the artificial turf ended last year and the surface has become unplayable, and it is not healthy for players. After consulting stakeholders, including teams and Sulom and the competition’s organising committee, we will immediately write government to ban the facility from hosting matches,” said FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda.

According to Nyirenda, the drainage system at the stadium stopped working long time ago and silt and sand have been accumulating on the turf, which is worn out.

Nyirenda said prior to the installation of the pitch, FAM had agreed with government that they will construct a synthetic running track to prevent dust and sand eight years later this has not happened.

“Because of the absence of the synthetic running track what happens is that sand from the bare track goes straight into the artificial turf and this has contributed to injuries of the players,” said Nyirenda.

He said due to the unplayable condition of the pitch, they had to improvise special operation to clean the turf so that the pitch can host the international match between Malawi and Swaziland.

FAM has deployed a tractor meant for Chiwembe’s Mpira Stadium artificial turf to clean the 3D turf.

“This is an expensive process and a one-off intervention as we cannot sustain such operations to cater for the Super League or cup games,” said Nyirenda.

Government through the Ministry of Sports and Culture has conceded that the pitch is in bad situation.

However, it says it cannot just act to ban the stadium without consulting FAM.

“The property [stadium] is ours, but it is the FAM who administers sports in the country. Once they write us to ban the facility, we will act on their recommendation. We don’t want a situation like we had two years ago when soccer fans blamed government for Kamuzu Stadium closure yet it was Confederation of African Football’s directive,” said Christopher Mbukwa, spokesperson at the Ministry of Sports and Culture.

FAM referees subcommittee chairperson Rashid Ntelera said he is aware of the pitch situation at the Kamuzu Stadium.

“But I think we continue to have matches there because Blantyre and as country we have challenges in terms of match venues. But it is true the condition of the pitch is not good,” said Ntelera.

The current artificial turf was installed using funding from Fifa while FAM and government were supposed to be responsible for maintenance.

Asked as to who will be responsible for the procurement of a new artificial turf the Ministry of Sports and Culture said though the facility is their property, they would consult FAM on the way forward.

“We need to talk to FAM and find a short term solution as you know Blantyre has no alternative venue to host matches and it is only the Kamuzu Stadium that hosts big matches,” said Mbukwa.

FAM president Walter Nyamilandu however, said the responsibility of a new pitch lies in the hands of government and not FAM.

“FAM does not own Kamuzu Stadium. It is government property and as such they will be responsible for the installation of the new pitch. We were lucky in the past that Fifa helped us. But this time around it is government who will decide whether to acquire a new turf or revert to natural grass,” said Nyamilandu