Bingu National Stadium vandalism worries Peter Mutharika
President Peter Mutharika has appealed to Malawians patronising the Bingu National Stadium (BNS) to desist from acts of vandalism and hooliganism.
Mutharika said the nation would only benefit from the state-of-the-art sports facility, which was inaugurated on Saturday, if people desisted from bad acts.
Mutharika described BNS as one of the most beautiful stadiums in Africa which would play a crucial role in developing various sporting disciplines in the country.
“For the first time in the country, we have a modern stadium with facilities of international standard. It is sad to hear that last time a match was played here, there was vandalism. This is not a stadium for hooliganism or a place for vandalism,” Mutharika said in reference to several items that were vandalised at the stadium when Nyasa Big Bullets played Be Forward Wanderers on January 2 in the second leg of the Luso TV Bus Ipite Bonanza.
Mutharika also appealed to the management of the stadium to take care of the facility so that it lasts.
Mutharika described the Chinese government as a “true friend indeed” and said he hoped for continued cooperation between Malawi and China.
He commended Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F for accepting to come to Malawi for a match against the Flames during the opening ceremony.
Earlier, the Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, Shi- Ting Wang, said his government would continue to support Malawi and Africa.
“Malawi and China have a comprehensive relationship; we are brothers. China’s promises to Malawi and Africa in general are serious and we will honour them,” Shi Ting said.
The ambassador hailed the interaction between people of the two countries during the event, saying it would help to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Shi-Ting said that it was pleasing to have the opening ceremony on the day the Chinese Government celebrated the traditional New Year.
The stadium has two covered and two open stands, an eight-lane standard running track; 56 lounges where families and sponsor groups will have the luxury of watching live events in private, a medical centre, a police unit, two stand-by diesel powered 800 KW generators and a 32000-litre fire hydrant water tank.
It also has an indoor training running track, two VVIP and two VIP lounges, four dressing rooms, two referee rooms, five event management rooms and three management rooms.
It also boasts of eight shopping outlets, two lifts for VVIPs, 800 toilets and a 400-car parking space, among other facilities.
The stadium was constructed by a Chinese construction company called AFECC which also constructed the Malawi University of Science and Technology in Thyolo and the New Parliament.
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