The Ministry of Youth and Sports has moved swiftly to draft memoranda of understanding (MoU) for local teams that wish to use Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe for international competitions.
This is against the backdrop of the forthcoming Confederation of African Football (Caf) competitions, which Silver Strikers and Mighty Wanderers have expressed interest in joining.
Spokesperson for the ministry Macmillan Mwale said they decided to come up with specific terms to ensure the safety of the facility, which is the only Caf certified venue in the country.
“There is a need to have a legally binding agreement to ensure that the facility is protected and, at the same time, provide a conducive environment that ensures value for money in these continental competitions.
“We are drafting terms and conditions for use in this particular instance as the one we have been using is generic,” he said.
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Mwale said the MoU would tackle various issues that are crucial in hiring the facility.
“Issues of payment, period of use, security, among others, have to be clear to both parties involved as we are looking beyond one team,” he said.
Silver qualified for Caf Champions League participation after winning the 2024 TNM Super League championship
However, the Central Bankers’ Chief Executive Officer Patrick Chimimba was yet to respond to our questionnaire as we went to press Tuesday.
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On the other hand, Wanderers intend to compete in the Caf Confederation Cup, having won the 2024 Castel Challenge Cup.
Wanderers Chief Executive Officer Panganeni Ndovi welcomed the idea, saying drafting an MoU pertaining to the use of BNS during international matches was a positive and timely development as the team had already earmarked the venue for home matches during Caf fixtures.
“Such a framework is crucial in helping [stakeholders] to manage expectations during game times, ensuring that all parties, clubs, government, and other stakeholders, are clear on [issues such as] access, responsibilities and operational protocols. With increasing demand of hosting international matches, having a formal agreement in place promotes transparency and minimises disruptions.
“Furthermore, the MoU provides stakeholders with a clear bargaining position, which is vital as the government continues to invest in maintaining and upgrading the stadium to meet Caf and other international standards. A well-managed venue benefits not only the participating clubs but also the nation at large by raising the profile of Malawi football on the continental stage,” he said.
Ndovi said Wanderers fully supported the initiative and looked forward to continued collaboration with the authorities to ensure that BNS becomes a world-class venue for both local and international matches.
