Leader of Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa has called for infrastructure development across the three regions.
Nankhumwa was responding to President Lazarus Chakwera State-of-the-Nation-Address (Sona) in which he promised the completion of the Griffin Saenda Indoor Netball Court and Aquatic Sports Complex and hailed the Queens.
In his response Tuesday, Nankhumwa said other countries have benefited for investing in sports infrastructure.
“There is a pressing need for the construction of international stadiums in the three main regions of our country, spanning across the cities of Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
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“While we have stadiums in many districts, it is imperative that we undertake further initiatives to enhance and elevate sporting standards, including football, mirroring the achievements of nations like Angola, Cape Verde and Mauritania, hitherto regarded as underdogs, who have showcased remarkable results at the just-ended Afcon [Africa Cup of Nations],” Nankhumwa said.
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He also commended new Football Association of Malawi President Fleetwood Haiya for what he termed as his dedication to enhancing the profile of football in the country.
He also urged government to honour other personalities by naming key projects after them.
Nankhumwa pointed out at the likes of Young Chimodzi Senior, Kinnah Phiri, Lawrence ‘ Lule’ Waya, Mary Waya, Mwawi Kumwenda, Isaac Chilemba, Ernest ‘Chirwali’ Mtawali, Thompson Mtengula, Reuben Malola, Spy and Zorro Msiska.
Sports analyst George Kaudza-Masina said Nankhumwa’s remarks were true.
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“It is indeed true that as a country we need stadia of international standards. Given an opportunity, government can easily construct such type of infrastructures in each region but it had to be appreciated that priorities are essential as everything falls under the government.
“It is imperative that the private sector should also be involved as in most countries, it is not the government owning such infrastructures,” Masina said.
