Some analysts have expressed skepticism on President Lazarus Chakwera’s promises to build modern sports facilities should he be re-elected in the September 16 General Election.
Launching his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) 2025 campaign at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday, the President, among others, promised to construct a 41 000 capacity stadium in Blantyre by 2027, retaining the name Kamuzu Stadium.
He also pledged a 30 000-capacity stadium in Mzuzu by 2028 and a sports complex as an integral part of transforming Chipoka into a secondary city.
But football analyst Julius Mithi described the promises as mere campaign gimmicks.
He said: “That is not feasible. Where will the money come from?
“During the 2019 campaign period, he promised to build a Freedom Park National Stadium, but up to now, there is nothing. So, why should Malawians believe him this time around?”
Mithi, a known opposition sympathiser, who once served as an aide to former president Peter Mutharika, said if Chakwera was serious about sports infrastructure, projects such as Griffin Saenda Sports Complex in Lilongwe and the two stadiums initially meant for Mighty Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Bullets.
Another analyst Charles Nyirenda said: “Personally, I would wish to comment when the election is done and dusted. The reason is that often election promises carry a lot of wishes, but realities on the ground say something else later.
“For instance we saw with the previous government pledge to build a proto type of a huge arena meant to cover the Njamba Freedom Park. We still await fruition of that promise. Let’s hope what is being said now will come to pass.”
When Chakwera took oath of office five years ago, he promised to build sports in the country by building infrastructure, podium performance in international events and invest in grassroots.
On infrastructure upgrade, the President 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.
His government also promised to construct a new stadium in Blantyre and complete the Mzuzu Youth Centre, but out of these only the indoor sports complex is near completion.
Government is also finalising the construction nof the Malawi Aquatic Centre in Lilongwe and Soche Stadium in Blantyre.
