Three weeks ago a Zambian parlementary sports committee presided over by Raphael MUYUNDA toured the 43-year-old Independance Stadium in Lusaka and recommended that the country’s national stadium should be demolished, but Zambian dismissed those recommendations.
Mr MUYUNDA also recommended a new stadium should be build as the current structure was a danger to the public. But the Permanent Secretary in the Sports ministry, Bob SAMAKAI, insists that the old stadium is safe, except for its grandstand. “Why should we demolish the whole stadium when it’s only the grandstand which is not safe?” he said. According to both government and independent engineers that have been to the site, the open wings of that stadium are strong and safe. Although other independent engineers have declared the arena a death trap, SAMAKAI claimed he was not aware of such reports. “I have personally not seen any official report where thz stadium has been declared unfit,” he said.
Zambia is expecting to benefit from South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 World Cup, but the lack of suitable facilities could prove a sticky point. In June, 12 fans died in a stampede after a Nations Cup qualifier at the Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe. But a Chinese delegation led by Mr ZHANG ZIJUN, and Zambian government represented by Mr BIZWAYO NKUNIKA, permanent secretary in Zambia’s ministry of Works and Supply, have just signed in Lusaka an agreement for the construction of a 40,000-seater stadium in northern Zambia. The signing ceremony follows a visit by the Chinese delegation to carry out feasibility studies at the construction site.
The stadium, which will be constructed in Ndola in the Copperbelt province, will cost an estimated $70 million. Sports minister Gabriel NAMULAMBE said the country’s biggest-ever arena will be ready before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. “This country will benefit from South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 World Cup if the stadium is completed. I am calling upon the private sector to come on board because we need a five-star hotel next to the stadium”, he said. Chinese ambassador to Zambia LI QIANGMIN assured that the construction of the stadium would be completed before 2010. But there will probably be no change in current stadium crisis in Zambia, and the national team may be compelled to play home matches away. FIFA has indeed declared the Independence Stadium in Lusaka unfit to host matches, and Zambia may have to play their 2010 World Cup home qualifiers outside the country.
Samuel MBAJUM
(Source: BBC Sport, with Kennedy GONDWE, Lusaka)
20/09/2007 |
