Kamuzu Stadium to be demolished for new sports arena not Njamba – Ulemu
Youth and Sports Minister Ulemu Msungama has said the Kamuzu Stadium will be demolished to pave the way for the construction of a new sports arena and not the plans of the previous regime to build an new stadium ar Njamba Freedom Park in Blantyre.
Msungama said there was no logic in building a new stadum – projected to cost K110 billion – barely a kilometre away from an existing facility.
He said government may consider the option of demolishing the current ageing stadium to put up a totally new structure in that place.
“Kamuzu Stadium is historically an icon and centrally located. We are better off to demolish it and build a modern facility on the same spot,” said Msungama.
Msungama said Njamba does not have enough space to accommodate stadium and a sports complex, including an indoor netball court.
Built over 60 years ago by colonists, the Kamuzu Stadium is the oldest stadium in the country.
Over the years, the stadium’s condition dilapidated and about three quarters of the stands were most recently condemned for being in poor condition.
Government structural engineers already condemned the stadium in 2012 after serious cracks were discovered in most of the stands, a development that led to the closure of the facility on the grounds that it was a hazard to society.
The stadium was reopened after some concerned supporters petitioned government on lack of football venues in Blantyre.
When making such decisions involving money, one must present a justifiable business case. How much will it cost to demolish an existing structure? If it could cost well over K15b to do so, then there is no business case justified This could be money which can cost to finish Mbombera University.
Just rehabilitate Kamuzu stadium for other functions and secure its iconic history. Then find another conducive space within the city to erect the dream stadium.
Let Kamuzu/Chichiri stadium stand as it is and be declared a tourist site. If Kamuzu/chichiri has enough space let another mordern stadium be constructed. This has happened at he Independence stadium where the National heroes Stadium has been constructed.
This makes more sense than the njamba nonsense…
Mutisiile Ku njamba kumabeba ma political rally
Talking of the talk by politicians
muzilankhula choncho kumeneko ndiye timati kubwera
Ulemu u rock this is the way to go
I agree Hon Minister. This is a sensible option. Ena aja amangofuna pobera ndalama.
We are also just bad at maintaining infrastructure. That we must admit. How many structures are we going to demolish. Come on people. Our secondary schools are in a shocking state. Put a programme in place to maintain our buildings and our roads. Do you know our national roads do not have comprehensive road signs?
This should be incorporated in the plans bearing in mind that not everything can be maintained nor demolished. It must be situation based.
Ma school kumavuta ndi kuba we end up having schools with burglar bars and not good ventilation windows contrary to kale when kuba chilichonse including ma tap zisanafikepo.
Excellent Idea, this is the type of thinking and reasoning we have been longing for. I was very saddened to imagine the disappearance of Njamba Park. Njamba park is a catchment area and breather for Blantyre City. We should not clear whole BT for buildings.
Wembley Stadium in London was built many many years ago because of its state it was closed for some years to pave way for improvement in order to cope with modern standards. The structure we see today is not the one in which the 1964 world cup final was played but the location is the same. All we need with this line of thinking is good architects, contractors, the money, our patience stall. Bravo Hon. Minister.
Kamuzu stadium its nyce place especiary when we talk mode of transport its acenter of all corners unlike Njamba its difficult to reach you have to walk from highway,its along way,alot if people use high when coming from home,bus fair its cheaper than other Roads.
The best would be to move away from central city. Think of constructing the stadium around chileka lunzu area. Make the kamuzu stadium space an entertainment and shopping are