Mutharika wants to construct magnificent stadium in Blantyre: Kamuzu Stadium to be demolished

President Peter Mutharika  said on Saturday in Blantyre that he wants to construct an “ imposing,  magnificent and modern stadium” at Kamuzu Stadium, confirming that he has approved that Malawi’s football shrine in the commercial city  will be demolished to pave the way for the construction of a new sports arena.

Mutharika made the announcement when he officially opened the upgraded Masauko Chipembere Highway in Limbe, Blantyre.

“I want to construct an imposing, magnificent and modern stadium over there at Kamuzu Stadium,” said Mutharika at Yiannakis roundabout in Limbe to mark the official opening of an upgraded Masauko Chipembere Highway.

Mutharika said construction of the new stadium is one of the projects the government has lined up for Blantyre City.

Sports Minister,  Grace Chiumia said the stadium will undergo a complete demolition and the plan is to have the new stadium in Blantyre constructed as soon as possible.

Government structural engineers already condemned the stadium three years ago after serious cracks were discovered in most of the stands, a development that led to the closure of the facility by former Sports Minister Enoch Chihana.

Chihana is on record saying government would   enter into a triple  (Public, Private Partnership) arrangement with a South African company to build, operate and transfer the facility.

He said Kamuzu Stadium will go commercial with government retaining shares since it will still be a public infrastructure.