Griffin Saenda Sports Complex takes shape

Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chiwendo Banda says the Griffin Saenda Sports Complex in Lilongwe will be ready by the time the Africa Union Sports Council (Ausc) Region 5 Youth Games start next month.

The event runs from December 2 to 11 and with barely a month left, only the facility’s floor remains to be worked on.

The minister said this after his latest tour of the facility on Thursday.

He said: “I have absolutely no doubt that we are on track. We only have the floor to work on as the main area then we will be good to go.

“Not there yet, but we will be ready before the games start. We are working round the clock and it all looks good. I am 100 percent certain”

However, Chimwendo Banda said there’s still work at the aquatic centre.

“We are a bit slower with the aquatic complex, but we are pushing,” he said.

Griffin Saenda Sports Complex project director David Dahalmann also said they are on course.

He said: “It looks really good and I can say that before the Games, it will be operational.

“We are concentrating on priority areas for the games and we are on track, the remaining works can be completed thereafter.”

Twelve sporting codes, namely football, volleyball, netball, basketball, athletics, paralympics, lawn tennis, judo, taekwondo, boxing, swimming and E-sport will be competed for during the games.

Ten countries, hosts Malawi, Botswana, e-Swatini, Lesotho, Mozambique , South Africa, Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia are expected to take part.

During the Region 5 Games in Lesotho last year, Team Malawi won 29 medals, two gold, 10 Silver and 17 bronze.