Zomba football fans seek audience with Mayor over ground

A group calling itself concerned football fans in Zomba has come out of its shell to seek audience with the city’s mayor over the poor condition of Zomba Community Centre ground.

The group held its meeting on Saturday where, among other things, the issue of rehabilitating the ground dominated the proceedings.

Former football referees Bester Banda and Alfred Chasowa are some of the members of the group serving as chairman and publicity secretary respectively, and also Zomba District Football Committee chairman Rajab Namaraka as treasurer.

Speaking in an interview with Nyasa Times, Chasowa said time has come for Zomba residents to stand up and take the challenge.

“We thought that if we just sit and watch without doing anything, things will not improve. This ground needs total overhaul. It is dusty, bumpy and not watered,” he said.

He added that the TNM Super League match between Red Lions and Azam Tigers which was supposed to be played at Zomba Community Centre ground on Sunday was shifted to Balaka Stadium due to the poor condition of the pitch.

Chasowa said the committee has proposed to seek an audience with the Mayor and the rest of Zomba City Council management this Wednesday at the Civic Offices from 10 o’clock in the morning.

“Football lovers in Zomba are equally concerned with the dilapidated status of this ground. We will also engage the management team of Zomba City Council to map the way forward,” he said.

He also hinted that the ground should have its own account separate from that of the city council in order to carry out its operations independently.

Chasowa added that unless something is done on the status of the ground, some TNM Super League second round games involving Blantyre United and Mighty Wanderers which are scheduled for
October in Zomba will not take place.