Gate crashers torment BNS

Ministry of Youth and Sports says it spends up to K7 million to repair wire fence damages caused by gatecrashers at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe after almost every match.

 The ministry’s spokesperson Macmillan Mwale said in an interview that the facility’s wire fence on the eastern side facing Area 47 and the banks of Lingadzi River is vandalised, mostly by gatecrashers.

He said: “We spend a fortune to repair the fence, but I cannot estimate how much is spent because it varies according to the extent of the damage, but it could be in the ranges of K5 million to K7 million. It is hitting us hard

“Apart from the maintenance costs, stakeholders also lose out on significant revenue through gatecrashers.”

Mwale said the latest case of vandalism occurred when the facility hosted the 2026 World Cup qualifier between the Flames and Sao Tome and Principe.

“Before that, it was also vandalised during the Four Nations Tournament,” he said.

Mwale said to curb the malpractice, they engaged surrounding communities through their leaders and the police to sensitise them.

 “The message has been that much as this is a government facility, they also own it as it belongs to the public,” he said.

Mwale said as a lasting solution, the ministry plans to erect a brick wall fence.

He said in so doing, the ministry will save on costs of frequent maintenance, reduce costs of hiring security and increase revenue.

 “So, it [erecting a brick wall fence] will be one of our priority projects,” said Mwale.

 Football Association of Malawi competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said BNS is the most porous stadium because of its vulnerability.

 He said: “It is always a headache organising a match at that facility because we also spend on repairing the fence ahead of every match.

 “There are times when almost 40 percent of the people gatecrash into the stadium and this has a big effect on the gate revenue. Sometimes we spend a lot on hiring extra security just to guard that place.”