Bingu Stadium in ‘shut down’
Ministry of Youth and Sports says it expects Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to replace damaged chairs at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe before it starts hosting matches this season.
The development comes at a time FAM has earmarked the venue for the four-nation tourney involving neighbouring Zambia, Kenya and Zimbabwe from March 18-26.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers were ordered to pay K22 million for damaging 239 plastic chairs during a fracas that led to the abandonment of the first leg of the Airtel Top 8 Cup quarterfinal against Silver Strikers at the venue in September 2023.
Some 145 seats worth K10 million were also damaged during the Castel Challenge Cup final between Silver Strikers and FCB Nyasa Bullets at the venue on December 31.
However, FAM has not taken action against the alleged perpetrators.
In total, 384 damaged chairs need to be replaced at the stadium.
Director of sport Jameson Ndalama in an interview yesterday said their stance remains that the chairs must be replaced before the facility can host matches.
He said: “We do not believe anyone will think of having games played at Bingu National Stadium when they know they have not fulfilled their responsibility of replacing the damaged chairs.”
Ndalama said they wrote Malawi National Council of Sports on the matter.
He said: “We do not deal with associations or clubs. We deal with Sports Council. That’s why we wrote them on the need to replace the chairs.
“I am sure they have discussed this issue with FAM because we know they intend to use the venue for the four-nation tourney.”
Sports Council spokesperson Edgar Ntulumbwa said they also wrote FAM on the need to replace the chairs.
He said: “We know there is a four-nation tournament coming and we want the issue of chairs to be sorted out before that.”
FAM competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka in an interview said they are in the process of replacing the chairs.
“We are working with the ministry and Sports Council on replacing the chairs,” he said.
Wanderers board secretary Chancy Gondwe was not available for comment.
