Presidential Cup final still free for all

Malawi Government has declared that fans will watch Saturday’s Presidential Cup final match between Big Bullets and Moyale Barracks at Civo Stadium free of charge.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports on Friday postponed the final match to this coming Saturday and shifted the venue from Kamuzu Stadium after engineers established that some of the stands have developed serious cracks.

Second principal secretary in the ministry Justin Saidi told The Nation on Saturday that the match in Lilongwe will still be free.

“As per earlier arrangements, nothing has changed. We will just ensure that there should be maximum security and that the stadium will be closed once it is full,” said Saidi.

Civo has a seating capacity of about 20 000 whereas Kamuzu Stadium’s was reduced by Fifa to 32 000 from 37 000.

However, FAM president Walter Nyamilandu noted that the situation could be worse in Lilongwe.

“We still stick to our position that Malawi football is attracting big crowds and government should, therefore, reconsider its decision on free entry, especially considering that Civo Stadium has lower capacity compared to Kamuzu Stadium.

“But if they still stick to their decision, then we hope they will arrange maximum security,” said Nyamilandu.

Sports Writers Association of Malawi (Swam) acting president Peter Kanjere noted that if the final match is still free of charge, then the issue of security will need to be seriously looked into.