By Tarcizio Mondwe
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has temporarily closed three key stadiums, Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Joyce Chitsulo Stadium in Mwanza and Champions Stadium in Mponela disrupting football and other sporting activities at the facilities until further notice.
In a communiqué released on Monday through FAMs official website, the association said Bingu National Stadium has been closed to allow for a pre-inspection exercise in line with Confederation of African Football (CAF) stadium regulations.
According to FAM, the exercise is aimed at ensuring the stadium meets international standards required for hosting elite league and international matches.
“The process is aimed at assessing the facility and identifying areas requiring improvement before an official CAF inspection is conducted,” reads part of the communiqué.
FAM also announced that Joyce Chitsulo Stadium in Mwanza will remain unavailable for football activities after being designated as a temporary accommodation centre for Malawian nationals returning from South Africa.
Meanwhile, Champions Stadium in Mponela remains closed after sustaining extensive damage caused by heavy rains and strong winds.
“Sections of the roof and other essential infrastructure were affected and are awaiting rehabilitation and safety inspections,” reads part of the statement.
Football analyst and former Flames player Ojukwu Malunga described the closure of the stadiums as a major setback for Malawian football, warning that the situation would negatively affect clubs and supporters who rely on the affected venues.
“Bingu National Stadium remains the only facility in the country capable of hosting high-profile elite league and international matches.
“This will negatively affect clubs that were using the suspended stadiums, as well as football fans who had become accustomed to the venues,” said Malunga.
While acknowledging government efforts to construct stadiums in various districts, Malunga called for increased investment in sports infrastructure, arguing that sports contribute significantly to employment creation, income generation and national visibility.
“Sport is gold. We should push for the construction of two additional large stadiums, one in Mzuzu and another in Blantyre, to serve as alternatives whenever Bingu National Stadium is unavailable,” he said.
Malunga also urged Malawis major football clubs, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers, to invest in building their own stadiums to minimise disruptions caused by venue shortages.
