Construction works at FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ 13-hectare stadium site at Mpemba in Blantyre District have started.
The project will see the construction of a 25 000-capacity mini stadium, training grounds, a club house and offices.
It is envisaged that once complete, the project will see Bullets saving over K30 million annually in training ground charges and rent for offices and gym.
The project seems to have attracted Parliament’s attention with the house’s Social and Welfare Committee touring it on Wednesday.
Parliamentary Committee on Social Welfare Chairperson Savel Kafwafwa said this was part of their tour of Nyasa Manufacturing Company (NMC)’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.
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“We have seen seriousness on the company’s part in ensuring that Bullets have their own football facilities. It would be pleasing to see more clubs in the country following in Bullets’ footsteps. Our clubs must put up their own facilities so that they become self-reliant.
“Such developments cannot only help clubs spend less on their needs but also improve the lives of people in their communities through the various businesses that such facilities will be attracting,” Kafwafwa said.
Contractor Paramount Construction’s Contracts Manager Arthur Kalinde said they have started with phase one of the project, which is constructing a training facility.
“Works are currently underway and we hope to complete the first phase by April next year. We remain hopeful that next season Bullets will start training here,” Kalinde said.
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NMC Marketing and Sales Manager Steve Munthali said the legislators’ visit was a pleasant surprise.
“This was a surprise visit. We were not expecting it. But it is quite encouraging to see that our parliamentarians are appreciating the little we are doing on the ground in contributing towards football development.
“We are working towards finishing the first phase of the project, which is the setting up of three training grounds, before the start of the next football season. As you can see, we have started clearing the land where we will have the three training grounds. Our plan is to start training on our own facilities by the time the next football season kicks off,” Munthali said.
Bullets are also hoping to have a stadium that the government is building for them near Moneymen ground in Blantyre.
Their bitter rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers are also getting a similar favour at Soche in the commercial city.
However, there has not been much progress on both projects since construction started in 2020.
