ZOMBA-(MaraviPost)-Zomba Stadium reopened its gates about a year ago after undergoing long awaited renovations but it is still yet to receive approval from the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to host official matches.
The delay has raised concern among stakeholders, including Zomba Central Member of Parliament Bester Awali, who is pushing for the stadium to be fully certified for competitive football.
Awali said his vision remains clear to see the stadium actively hosting matches and other sporting activities that can benefit the youth and revive sports in the district.
He stressed that reopening the facility alone is not enough if it cannot be used for official competitions, which are key to developing talent and attracting fans.
The lawmaker said he will engage with FAM, urging the association to inspect the stadium and provide guidance on what is required for approval and he believes that once certified, the stadium will play a major role in boosting football standards in the Eastern Region.
Despite being structurally improved, the stadium has continued to operate below its full potential due to the absence of top level matches.
Zomba City Council Chief Executive Officer Archangel Bakolo confirmed that progress on the renovation has been steady, particularly under phase two of the project.
Bakolo noted that about 85 percent of the second phase has been completed, with only a few critical areas such as dressing room left unfinished.
According to Bakolo, the council has been working closely with the contractor to ensure that the outstanding tasks are completed as soon as possible.
He expressed optimism that the remaining works would be finalized by the end of April, which could strengthen the case for FAM approval.
Zomba Stadium had been closed for ten years while undergoing reconstruction before former president Lazarus Chakwera officially reopened it.