By Llywellenie Mpasa:
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has launched a project which will see the transformation of Nsanje Youth Centre into a fully-fledged stadium.
The ground-breaking ceremony of the $500,000 (approximately K500 million) facility took place Wednesday at Nsanje Boma.
World football governing body Fifa is supporting the initiative through Fifa Foundation.
Sports and Youth Minister Uchizi Mkandawire and Deputy Local Government Minister Owen Chomanika presided over the launch.
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Fam President Walter Nyamilandu said the initiative would not only revolutionise the football landscape and nurture emerging talent but also bring substantial benefits to the wider community.
“People are still suffering from the effects of Cyclone Freddy and the football fraternity has not been spared. So, this initiative is aimed at helping in the recovery process. We are grateful that government is leading efforts to provide relief to survivors of this cyclone,” Nyamilandu said.
Mkandawire presided over the groundbreaking ceremony and thanked Fam for initiating the project.
“Such efforts are vital to sports development in the country. It is not possible for government to do everything on its own. We are therefore commending such efforts, which will greatly contribute towards sports and infrastructure development,” he said.
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The minister also made a commitment to collaborate with Ministry of Finance to exempt the project from payment of duty and VAT.
He said this will ensure that a significant portion of the allocated funds go directly to the project, which is expected to be completed by January 2024.
According to Fam’s Facebook page, the works involve upgrading of the facility by, among other things, construction of a new football pitch from scratch and installation of a solar-powered irrigation system.
“In addition, the pitch will be secured with a wire perimeter fence as well as construction of a VIP stand and teams dressing rooms,” the page reads.
