The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture says it is working tirelessly to have electricity reconnected at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe ahead of three big matches. The ministry’s spokesperson Macmillan Mwale confirmed in an interview yesterday that electricity was disconnected last week due to an unpaid outstanding bill. “We are working hand in hand with other government agencies, especially Treasury, to make sure that the bill is paid in time,” he said.
However, Mwale could not be drawn to disclose the amount owed to Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi. He acknowledged that a number of essential services require electricity, especially during high-profile matches. Said Mwale: “For things like live broadcast, the scoreboard and lighting, we need to have electricity.
“Crucially, we also need electricity to pump water used for, among other things, watering the pitch. But as I said, we remain optimistic that we should have water reconnected before the matches.” Football Association of Malawi operations director Gomezgani Zakazaka said they will keep in constant touch with the stadium authorities to ensure that everything is in place before Saturday’s international match. “We remain optimistic that they will do the needful to ensure that there are no hitches on match day,” he said.
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The facility is scheduled to host the Fifa Under-20 Women’s World Cup final qualification round second leg between Malawi and Nigeria on Saturday before hosting the FDH Bank Premiership launch the following day, which will include the most sought-after fixture on the domestic scene the Blantyre derby between arch-rivals Mighty Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Bullets. On Monday, BNS will also host another top-flight league match between Masters FC and Luanar Mutundu FC expected to be played under flood lights on Monday.
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