Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda says government has not abandoned stadium projects for domestic football powerhouses Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.

The two projects have not been funded since 2020, resulting in the stalling of the works, fuelling speculation that government has abandoned the projects which were initiated by former president Peter Mutharika’s administration. 

Chimwendo Banda: We will complete the projects

But speaking during Nyasa Big Bullets FC end of season awards in Blantyre on Friday night, the minister said government will complete the projects.

He also revived the pledge to construct a new stadium in Blantyre to replace the ailing Kamuzu Stadium.

Said Chimwendo Banda: “Our attention shifted to constructing the Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex and the Aquatic Centre in Lilongwe for the [Africa Union Sports Council] Region 5 Youth Games.

“But now that we are through with these projects, I can promise that the government will continue with the stadium projects for Bullets and Wanderers.

“These projects were initiated by our friends [previous administration. They did not fund them as the first allocation was made in September 2020. So, it was their dream, but we will implement it.”

He said 50 percent of the works at the Nomads’ stadium located near Blantyre Teachers Training College have been done while for the Bullets stadium they are at almost 18 percent.

However, the minister could not be drawn to comment on when the works will resume.

On the plan to construct a new stadium in the commercial city, the minister said: “There is need for a new modern stadium in Blantyre because Kamuzu Stadium is in a dilapidated state.

“The plan is already there, and we will do it. What I cannot tell you for now is when we will start building the stadium.”

Nyasa Big Bullets vice-president Fleetwood Haiya thanked government for the promise and said they have been wondering when government would finish the project.

“It was the government that made a promise and we were wondering why the same government stopped what they had promised,” he said.

On his part, Wanderers spokesperson Clement Stambuli yesterday said the development comes as a huge relief.

He said: “This is good news because we were left in suspense on the future of the project as the works stalled sometime back.

“Having turned into a commercial entity, owning a  stadium will boost our plans. We are, therefore, thankful to government for the latest assurance.”

Earlier this year, Bullets wrote the Ministry of Youth and Sports through the Malawi National Council of Sports to allow them to complete the project after it had been abandoned.

A month later, the Nomads also followed suit. But they have not received responses from the ministry.

Bullets’ stadium, which was estimated to cost K3.8 billion is located in Zingwangwa Township near Moneymen Sports Club along Chikwawa Road and was awarded to China Civil Engineering while the Nomads stadium, which was pegged at K3.6 billion, was awarded to Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Company.

Mutharika promised to construct stadiums for the two teams during the 2019 Tripartite Elections campaign.

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