Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS)—owners of BAT Ground—have disclosed that they will demolish the existing facility to pave the way for the construction of a new 17,000-seater stadium.
Sports Council Executive Secretary Henry Kamata confirmed the council’s decision in an interview Wednesday.
Kamata said the sports implementing agency has already engaged the consultant on the new project.
“We have already got permission from Blantyre City Council to start demolishing the existing structure.
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“We already have a design for the new stadium. It will be a modern facility and it will have shops and other facilities,’’ Kamata said.
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According to Kamata, Sports Council has opted for a mini-stadium to make sure it is manageable.
“Experience has shown that giant stadiums turn into a white elephant. We believe that we will be able to take care of the facility,’’ he said.
However, Kamata could not disclose when construction of the new stadium will commence. According to Kamata, the budget for the facility is estimated at K30 billion.
The stadium, which previously belonged to the cigarette manufacturing company British American Tobacco, was donated to the Ministry of Youth and Sports some time back.
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However, the ministry handed over the facility to MNSC.
Sports analyst Parry Chinyama hailed the council on the idea, saying Blantyre deserves a new stadium.
“It will be good for Blantyre teams to have alternative venues. But my worry is the place is too small for a good stadium,’’ Chinyama said.
The construction of the new stadium in Blantyre will help ease shortage of facilities for the teams.
Currently, Blantyre has Kamuzu Stadium, which is under Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Football Association of Malawi owns Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township.
Construction works for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers stadia have stalled due to lack of funds.
But government has insisted the projects will be finalised.
