The Ministry of Youth and Sports has completed the process of identifying a contractor for an Olympic-standard swimming pool and its ancillary structures at Kamuzu Institute for Sports.
In a notification of intention to award the contract published in the local press, the facility will be constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation to the tune of K9.4 billion.
“Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture wishes to inform the general public and all the bidders that participated in the tender for construction of Olympic Standard Swimming Pool and ancillary structures at Kamuzu Institute for Sports in Lilongwe. Reference No. MoY/Swap?01/20 that it has finalised the evaluation process,” reads the communication from the ministry.
Part of the first phase will involve construction of the 50m long international Olympic swimming pool, 25m long training swimming pool, new covered stands, rehabilitation of existing stands, double storey VIP wing and social services block.
In addition, the first phase would have GYM/conference hall, block fence, gate houses, turnstile entrance, water tower, mechanical and electrical works and external works.
Details indicate that the Olympic Standard swimming pool will be constructed at the historic Kamuzu Institute football pitch.
According to details, the football pitch will be relocated to a nearby place.
In the 2020/21 national budget, Kamuzu Institute was allocated a lion’s share of K1billion for rehabilitation of the facility.
The Tonse Alliance government is constructing and upgrading some sports facilities ahead of Region 5 Games.
As part of preparations for the Games, government has started construction of the state-of-the-art indoor sports complex near Bingu National Stadium.
The construction of the swimming pool is also part of preparations for the Games. Malawi will host over 3,500 athletes and officials from Southern Africa next year.
Athletes will compete in games such as athletics, netball, basketball, volleyball and football.