The sports fraternity could wait a little longer to use Griffin Saenda Indoor Sports Complex and the Aquatic Sports Complex as government is non-committal on when the projects will be completed.
This comes eight months after the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) gave the Ministry of Youth and Sports the go-ahead to complete the projects.
Works at the two project sites stalled soon after the country hosted African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Youth Games in December 2022.
In an interview Wednesday, Ministry of Youth and Sports spokesperson Macmillan Mwale said there was no timeframe on when works would resume.
- Advertisement -
“We, as Ministry of Youth and Sports, finalised everything on our part. We are waiting for funds to complete the projects,” Mwale said.
- Advertisement -
The two projects stalled after the contract sum changed from the initial K7 billion to K15 billion for each.
The two projects also stalled after their scope of works changed.
For Saenda Sports Complex, the scope of work changed to accommodate more sports codes including volleyball, basketball, tennis and handball.
The facility, which hosted netball and basketball games during the Region 5 Games, was initially constructed for netball.
- Advertisement -
On the other hand, the Aquatic Sports Complex in Area 17, Lilongwe, is expected to have two swimming pools, gym and turnstile entrance, among other facilities.
Now, amid the rising cost of commodities, the contract sum could increase.
For instance, a bag of cement is selling at K25,000.
Mwale admitted that the contract sum could change but was reluctant to comment further.
The delay in completion of the Griffin Saenda Complex could be costly as Netball Association of Malawi plans to host the Africa Netball Cup this year.
Nam General Secretary Yamikani Khunga- Kauma was optimistic that the facility would be completed soon.
“We submitted our proposal to government on the hosting of the competition.
“We are keeping fingers crossed that it will be ready for the games,” she said.
Basketball Association of Malawi General Secretary Peter Gomani said the country had missed opportunities to host international tournament due to the absence of a modern facility.
“It is a setback for us. We cannot host Fiba games as we do not have a good indoor court,” he said.
