Kamuzu Stadium rehabilitation stalls

Sports Minister Grace Chiumia has said she has no clue as to when rehabilitation of the ailing Kamuzu Stadium will start.

She also said the cost of rehabilitating the facility will be in excess of K1 billion.

“Honestly, I cannot promise the exact time when rehabilitation will start because the challenge is funding.

“But government is committed to have it refurbished,” said the minister.

The stadium was closed by her predecessor Enoch Chihana two years ago when it was established that most of the open stands had developed cracks and needed urgent attention.

Some of the affected stands were cordoned-off, but during last weekend’s Carlsberg Cup final match between Big Bullets and Zomba United, some fans defied the restriction and invaded the ‘no go zone’ due to lack of space.

Soccer commentator Charles Nyirenda said it is time government lived to its word to renovate the stadium or build a new one altogether.

“In the state that it is, it is a risk to people’s lives and something terrible will happen,” said Nyirenda.