China-funded Bingu stadium handed over to Malawi   

Malawi’s national team has a new home in the capital, Lilongwe as the Chinese Government has officially handed over the magnificent Bingu National Stadium to Malawi government.

The state-of-the-art facility was completed in November last year but was not handed over to government.

Chinese ambassador to Malawi Shing Ting Wang said the stadium which can house more than 40,000 people is completed.

“We believe that the Malawi government will take a good care of these facilities,” said Wang. “Its  a decent venue for Malawi.”

He described the Bingu National Satdium as a landmark building that cements the relationship between the China and Malawi.

“Three years ago this place was a wasteland but now with this magnificent facility the face of Lilongwe has changed. This facility will be able to host international events and in the process create employment,” said Wang.

Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jappie Mhango said the facility has “ few issues to be done” to ensure full completion and official launch in October.

He said: “ Funds have been allocated intended for that purpose.”

The contractor Anhui Foreign Construction (Group) Company Limited (Afecc) handed over the facility to Minister of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development Henry Mussa .

Vice president of Afecc Xia Fang said they will continue to partner government in maintaining the facility so that it continues to be in good condition.

The state-of-the-art stadium  has been  constructed by a Chinese contractor to the tune of 70 million U.S. dollars, a concessional loan to be paid back by Malawi government in 20 years.

Among other facilities are the 56 lounges where families and sponsor groups will have the luxury of watching live events in private.

It also has a press gallery, a gym and Olympic standard synthetic running track around the pitch, and the playing field is covered with special drought-resistant grass imported from South Africa.

Malawi government  named the stadium Bingu National Stadium in honour of Malawi’s former president Bingu Mutharika who initiated the project with the Chinese government.

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