Minister of Youth and Sports  Richard Chimwendo Banda has ordered that works at the Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports complex and Aquatic Centre be done around the clock to beat the deadline.

The two facilities are the main venues for the African Union Sports Council (Ausc) Region Five Youth Games scheduled for December.

With barely three months before the games start of the games, the ministry faces a race against time to complete works.

Chimwendo Banda: We want to meet the deadline

In an interview on Saturday at the Aquatic Centre construction site, the minister said it is vital for the work to be done around the clock.

“We want to meet the deadline and we can only achieve that if we work around the clock. That’s why I have directed that work be done day and night,” said Chimwendo Banda.

He said the stands and changing rooms will be completed by next month while work on the actual swimming pool will take a little bit longer, but was optimistic it will be completed on time.

Said the minister: “Every day I am at the construction site to ensure nothing is left to chance.  We had a meeting with Lilongwe Water Board and in the short-term, the pool will be supplied by the main pipe which supplies water to Kamuzu Barracks.

“But in the long-term, we will have a direct connection,” he said.

During a recent inspection, Ausc Region Five  chief executive officer Stanley Mutoya expressed optimism that the venues will be ready in time for the games.

“From what we have seen and with the commitment shown by the Minister of Youth and Sports and also government of Malawi, we are hopeful that the venues will be ready. We have our own personell in the country offering guidance and expertise,” he said.

Apart from the two venues, work is progressing well at Civo and Silver stadiums.

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