Bingu stadium ready by Nov 30 despite theft setbacks

The new 40 000-seater Bingu National Stadium being constructed in Lilongwe will be on course for completion by November 30, 2015,despite reports of theft of water pumps that were used for the ground.

Chief Archtect in the Ministry of Sports McNight Munthali said the insecurity at the facility has led to the stoppage in watering the ground.

Munthali has however advised Malawi Police Service to erect a 24 hour station at the stadium to ensure there is maximum security.

But the government can afford a smile as the Chinese government through the contractors who have built the stadium will bring in new pumps shortly.

According to Munthali, the pumps will be airlifted to Malawi since shipping takes over a long time.

The fully Chinese funded project has faced theft challenges since the construction started both with both employees working at the stadium and people from surrounding areas involved in the scam.

Reports indicates that thieves also recently stole electric cables used to lighten the stadium.

Meanwhile, Football Association of Malawi (Fam) through its Executive Member James Mwenda have expressed satisfaction with the progress so far.

Mwenda has since called upon all Malawians to take a responsibility of taking care of the multi-million dollar olympic stadium.

E-ticketing

Meanwhile, Ministry of Sports and Culture sports director Jameson Ndalama has said government has resolved that the Bingu stadium should be the first in the country to have the e-ticketing system as one way of eliminating rampant gate fraud.

Ndalama said there are plans to have all stadiums in the country using e-ticketing system, starting withhe Bingu Stadium.

He said e- will help to end gate fraud and congestion at the gates, saying “here will be no selling of tickets at the gates or around the stadium.”.

According to Ndalama said the e-ticketing system would be run as a separate project from the construction of the stadium and government will call for bids from interested companies to managed the e-ticketing at the stadium.