With the General Elections in a few months’ time, President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration has not fulfilled most of the promises made after being elected, Nation on Sunday has established
When Chakwera took an oath of office five years ago, he promised to develop sports in the country by building infrastructure, podium performance in international events and invest in grassroots.
On infrastructure upgrade, Chakwera pledged to construct a state-of-the-art sports complex in Lilongwe, launch a sports academy, rehabilitate existing youth centres and construct new ones.
He also pledged to train 800 school coaches in various sports disciplines as part of sports development programmes.
His government also promised to construct a new stadium in Blantyre and complete the Mzuzu Youth Centre.
But he has only concentrated on the Griffin Saenda Sports Complex, Aquatic Centre and Indoor basketball Court in Lilongwe.
Al t h o u g h g o v e r n m e n t invested nearly K15 billion, as a demonstration of commitment to infrastructure development, three years down the line the projects are yet to be completed.
In this years annual budget, K2.6 billion was allocated towards the two projects.
“We expect money as provided in the approved the budget of K2.6 billion to be paid to the contractor as part payment.
“We are hopeful that the contractor will use part of the money to glaze the building and connect the water and electricity and other minor works to make the facility [Griffin Saenda Sports Complex] usable.
“After midterm budget review, we are hopeful that Treasury shall provide more funding,” said Ministry of Youth and Sports spokesperson Macmillan Mwale.
But sports analyst Parry Chinyama says despite the political will, little has been achieved in infrastructure development.
“Griffin Sayenda Complex and the Aquatic Centre have been neglected over the period. Recall this was a political decision,” he said.
On the positive side, Chinyama praised Chakwera for improved national team players remuneration.
Malawi National Council of Sports chief executive Henry Kamata in an interview said stakeholders are better placed to assess the Chakwera administration’s success and failures.
He said: “Malawi National Council of Sports is a government institution, therefore, government cannot analyse itself in this respect.
“We believe the sports stakeholders are better placed to give us feedback on how we are doing.”
