Minister courts Malawi President on stadium

Youth and Sports Minister Enoch Chihana was expected to meet Malawi President Joyce Banda on Sunday to discuss the state of Kamuzu Stadium that has been closed by government.

The stadium was closed indefinitely on Friday after government engineers established that some of the stands have developed dangerous cracks.

Chihana said government is trying its best to ensure that the stadium is worked on as soon as possible ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final qualification round decider against Ghana’s Black Stars in October.

“I will be meeting Her Excellency this Sunday to seek her intervention on the matter since Kamuzu Stadium is the only facility that has the capacity to host a high-profile match such as the Ghana game.

“We will also be discussing with Treasury to consider releasing funds for the urgent renovations of the stadium,” said Chihana. He said an independent structural engineer will be engaged soon to make a thorough assessment of the damage.

“Until such time, the facility shall remain closed,” reads part of the statement signed by the ministry’s second principal secretary Justin Saidi.

Setback

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and Super League of Malawi (Sulom) described the development as a setback.

However, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said the association fully understands and supports government’s decision to close the stadium as it puts the lives of fans at risk.

“The closure is obviously a setback, but this was done in the best interests of the fans and Malawi football at large. The circumstances are beyond our control and the decision that has been taken is understandable.

“We have been assured that the assessment by structural engineers will start immediately to come up with a final report in the shortest time possible,” said Nyamilandu.

He also said it is FAM’s hope that the exercise will be concluded early next month to enable them to see the way forward.

“[But] in the event that the report is not favourable, we have earmarked Civo Stadium, which is capable of hosting high-profile matches,” he said.

Sulom president Innocent Bottomani said the development will affect the flagship league,” said Bottomani.

Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers, who use the stadium as their home ground, said they will be affected by the closure.

Said Bullets chairperson Malinda Chinyama: “The development means we will have to play most of our remaining home games outside Blantyre until the stadium is declared fit to host matches.

“Nevertheless, we applaud government for taking the timely precautionary measure to close the facility.”

Wanderers general secretary David Kanyenda said the impact of the closure will be adverse.

“Nomads are based in Blantyre and playing outside Blantyre increases our expenditure. The closure of the stadium also deprives us of revenue as all stadia outside Blantyre have smaller capacity.”