By Eric Chiputula:
Government says it has made tremendous progress in preparing for the Regional 5 games which the country is expected to host later this year.
Malawi will in December host the Regional 5 games for the first time in the country’s history.
Addressing members of the press in Lilongwe on the country’s state of preparedness, Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda said the country has made tremendous progress in preparing for the games.
“We have made significant progress in preparing for the games. Both the Griffin Saenda Netball complex and the Aquatic complex at Kamuzu Institute for Sports which we are constructing specifically for the games have taken shape and will be ready in time for the games.
“We have also commenced renovation works at Civo and Silver Stadiums as well as the Bingu National Stadium so we are optimistic that we will beat the October deadline given to us by the organisers of these games,” said Chimwendo Banda.
Chimwendo Banda told the media that government will spend a total of MK13 billion to successfully host the games.
“We have the actual budget which is for the hosting of the games and then we have the infrastructure budget for the renovation and construction of the venues to host these games so the whole budget is MK13 billion divided into various categories.
But government will earn some forex from the games through the fees that these athletes will be paying,” said Chimwendo Banda.
Information Minister Gospel Kazako who accompanied Chimwendo Banda has appealed for unity among Malawians if the country is to successfully host the games.
Over 2,000 athletes from 11 Southern Africa countries are set to converge in Lilongwe for the games.
