Capital Hill speaks on Lilongwe stadium

The Chinese-built 40 000-seater Lilongwe Stadium will, as per tradition, be open to all domestic football clubs and national teams with the same gate sharing system being enforced, Ministry of Sports principal secretary Justin Saidi has explained.

“It is a national facility just like Kamuzu Stadium. That does not mean it will be a home ground for a particular side,” Saidi explained last week on Monday when asked about government’s plans for usage of the state-of-the-art stadium in Area 18.

There have been questions on whether an artificial turf will be laid down and whether government will still be collecting 25 percent of the net and five percent to the Sports Council. Clubs who share 25 percent each from the net of the gate revenue complain that they get too little for their sweat.

“When it is a government facility, it is 25 percent ground levy unless otherwise stated. We are identifying and empowering some staff to manage the stadium on issues of water and electricity so that it is self-sustainable,” Saidi explained, adding that gate proceeds go straight to government’s Account Number One and the money is used to various sectors.

The Chinese constructors have set November 15 as the time to finish construction, but it might be through earlier than scheduled. Saidi added that the stadium will have a synthetic running track, but natural grass pitch.

For a change, the new stadium will have functioning turnstiles to count fans entering the facility. Kamuzu Stadium’s turnstiles are dead, hence unable to count number of people. The 45 000-plus capacity, which has since been reduced to 20 000 after cordoning off some stands, is based on estimates.

The Lilongwe Stadium could spell an end to high-profile international games in Blantyre, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda hinted last week on Tuesday.

“I am at pains to understand as to what plans government has on Kamuzu Stadium. If we have two big facilities, then we can convince Cosafa to host the Cosafa Castle Cup. My fear is that next time Fifa and CAF will not entertain usage of the stadium,” explained Nyirenda.

Additionally, FAM, Nyirenda said, has plans to construct a technical centre in Lilongwe adjacent to the stadium.

“Obviously, we expect it to have better facilities, the perimeter fence is away from the terraces and there will be improved gate ticketing and management facilities which will help ease the challenges we face,” Nyirenda concluded.

Athletics Association of Malawi general secretary Frank Chitembeya last Wednesday said they were looking forward to the synthetic running track, “which will be a special blessing to Malawi athletes as Malawi is currently unable to host international track and field events due to the lack of such track and photo finishers”,

The Chinese have signed an agreement to build the stadium at an estimated cost of $70 million. Under the terms of the agreement, signed in 2012 by former Finance minister Ken Lipenga and Chinese Ambassador Pan Hejun- the Asian nation will provide a concessional loan to be repaid in 20 years.