* Teams and the community members at large had nowhere to play football when the old football ground was replaced with the new depot—Senior Chief Makwangwala
* It has various key components including the VVIP covered stand, VIP covered stand, general uncovered stands, running track, security metal fence around the pitch, four ticketing offices and four ablution blocks
By Maston Kayiya, MANA
Senior Chief Makwangwala expressed the people’s gratitude over the magnificent Ntcheu Stadium that was officially opened yesterday by Minister of Local Government, Unity & Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda.
Advertisement
The traditional leader, who represented Paramount Chief Gomani V, said he was grateful with the development which has come at the right time as the community had a football ground at the trading centre which was eventually replaced by a new bus depot.
“Teams and the community members at large had nowhere to play football when the old football ground was replaced with the new depot, so this development is very commendable,” said Senior Chief Makwangwala.
He advised all stakeholders to take care of the facility which is located in Kandota Village in the area of Senior Chief Kwataine while Ntcheu District Commissioner George Ngaiyaye said the people’s expectations were high and he expressed excitement with the opening of the stadium.
Ngaiyaye highlighted that the facility will be a source of revenue for the council, adding that it will provide a platform for youths and all people of Ntcheu to actively engage in various sports disciplines.
Apart from football, there are other sporting activities that will be taking place at the stadium such as netball, volleyball, handball and athletics.
The project, whose initial contract sum amounted to MK4.6 billion, has various key components including the VVIP covered stand, VIP covered stand, general uncovered stands, running track, security metal fence around the pitch, four ticketing offices and four ablution blocks.
On his part, Minister Chimwendo Banda said the policy of the government is to make sure that it provides stadiums across the country and to give the citizens a platform for recreational activities, including football and netball, amongst others.
The Minister highlighted that the facility will be a source of revenue for the council as it will be used not only for sports but also churches, heritages and other activities.
“The facility will economically empower councils to raise resources and implement some of the projects without waiting for Capital Hill for support,” said Chimwendo and added that he was impressed with the quality of work and the capacity of the stadium.
This is the third stadium to be opened in the past few weeks following the commissioning of Mwanza and Zomba stadia by President Lazarus Chakwera.
The President named the new facility in Mwanza as Joyce Chitsulo Stadium in honour of late legislator, who until her death was Mwanza West Member of Parliament (MP) as well as Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity & Culture.
Construction of the 7,000-10,000 capacity stadium started in January 2024 and was commissioned with the first match on the pitch between Mwanza Select and TNM Super League side, Dedza Dynamos.
Excitement swept through Mwanza over the modern facility that expected to transform sporting, cultural, and social activities in the district.
The magnificent Zomba Stadium’s capacity is 20,000, which Chakwera described as a symbol of his administration’s respect for the people of Thyolo and a milestone in sports development.
“Those that have eyes can see what I have done, and I don’t have to keep mentioning every development,” he said. “What I ask from you is to allow me to continue developing this country up to 2030.
He urged Zomba residents to take good care of the new stadium and other infrastructure projects, stressing that such facilities are vital for community growth.
The new facility used to be known as Zomba Community Centre, which was an important venue for high profile elite football matches, playing as host stadium for Red Lions Football Club.
Once Red Lions get promoted into the TNM Super League, who are leading in the NBS National Division League, the elite football will certainly return to Zomba and contribute towards the economic activities of the Old Capital.—Edited by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
Advertisement