Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) says it is optimistic of fulfilling sports projects contained in its 2025 election manifesto unveiled in Blantyre on Sunday.
Among others, the former governing party has promised to establish a K12 billion Sports Development Fund from which each constituency will access K50 million every year.
The manifesto also includes revision of the Sports Policy to incentivise companies supporting sports development.
Responding to a question on the soure of funding to fulfil its promises, DPP manifesto committee chairperson Collins Magalasi yesterday said the projects will be implemented using “the locally available resources”.
He said: “That money will come from Malawi Revenue Authority. The money is already there and it is what we will be collecting through various taxes.”
In its blueprint, the DPP further pledges to resume primary and secondary school sports programmes to nurture young talent, complete the Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex and Malawi Aquatic Centre projects initiated by the Tonse administration.
The main opposition party also promises to establish youth centres in all districts, “equipped with sports and recreational facilities”.
They have also pledged to continue the development of district stadiums and complete international stadiums in Blantyre and Mzuzu, invest in sports academies to be managed by sports legends to enhance talent identification and administration.
During a rally held at Njamba Freedom Park, the party’s president Peter Mutharika reiterated that constructing a new stadium in Blantyre and completing the stadiums of local football giants FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Wanderers.
DPP has also outlined the Introduction of “a dedicated national budget vote for football and netball”, a system which the current administration is using this year.
But sports analyst Charles Nyirenda said it would be better to wait until after the election “because often election promises carry a lot of wishes, but realities on the ground say something else later”.
On the other hand, in its manifesto a fortnight ago, the governing Malawi Congress Party leader Lazarus Chakwera, who is also the country’s President, 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.
