By Yamikani Sabola

Mzuzu, January 28, Mana: Sports Minister Uchizi Mkandawire has asked Mzuzu City Council to come up with plans and budgets for construction of new Mzuzu Stadium and submit to government for its intervention.

Mkandawire said this in Mzuzu on Tuesday after inspecting Mzuzu Stadium’s fence which had partly collapsed.

He said government is ready to commit resources towards construction of new Mzuzu Stadium just as it is doing in some other districts and cities including Mwanza, Mzimba, Zomba, Lilongwe and Blantyre.

He noted that Mzuzu Stadium has outlived its lifespan as it was constructed in 1967 and needed to be replaced with a new structure.

“In the recent years, we have been having so many problems here at the Mzuzu Stadium. Two years ago, the Football Association of Malawi refused to accredit this stadium for Super League games because of its poor condition.

“And as we are speaking, part of the fence has fallen, just adding to the problems which the stadium already has. That is why we decided to come and have discussions with Mzuzu City Council regarding the future of this facility. We are all convinced that we need a new stadium,” Mkandawire said.

He however advised the Mzuzu City Council to make sure the stadium is in good shape to host various games, including Super League matches while waiting for commencement of construction for the new stadium.

Chief Executive Officer for Mzuzu City Council, Gomezgani Nyasulu, said the council will start working on the preliminary designs and costs and submit the same to government.

“As Mzuzu City Council, we are very happy to get this signal from the Minister of Sports because this is the commitment we have been waiting for. It is encouraging that there is greenlight for us to proceed with submission of our plans for new stadium,” he said.

Nyasulu said the council has already identified a contractor to reconstruct the stadium’s fence so that the facility should continue hosting games.