China hands over world class stadium to Malawi

The Chinese government has officially handed over the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe to the Malawi government after the multi-million project came to an end now.

The stadium which according to sources saw a Chinese contractor using up to 70 million U.S. dollars (504 Billion Kwacha), a concessional loan to be paid back by Malawi government in the next 20 years was handed to Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jappie Mhango on Tuesday in Lilongwe.

Mhango could not hold his joy on the completion of the facility.

”We are very happy that finally the stadium has been haded over to us.” he said.

However the Minister said the stadium has a few facilities that need to be constructed and left functioning before the stadium starts being used.

Chinese ambassador to Malawi Shing Ting Wang asked the Malawi government and citizens to make good use of the stadium so that it lasts for ages.

He said the Chinese government hopes the construction of the stadium will still strengthen the ties they have with the Malawi government.

Initially, the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports had indicated that the opening of the stadium would delay because there are a couple of changes that have been suggested by various Ministries and stakeholders on where to change the stadium.

“We have received several positive suggestions from the government representatives which we may wish to take into account. Some officials have highlighted on the need of re-working on the VVIP stand and improve on its current design. For example, there is need to include a canopy, space and maybe even some stairways that may lead into the field.” Said Joseph Kayamba who is the Chief sports officer responsible for infrastructure in the ministry of youth development and sports.

Bingu International Stadium will attract the soccer fraternity since it has 60,000 capacity, a far higher capacity than that of the old soccer cathedral, Kamuzu Stadium.