BAT Ground reopens

Relief was the dominant reaction on Friday when the Malawi’s Ministry of Youth and Sports declared its BAT Ground open, three years after it was closed for renovations.

The ministry’s director of sports Jameson Ndalama gave the Southern Region Football League (SRFL) secretariat, who are housed at the ground, the nod to host games.

SRFL vice-general secretary Kingsley Simbeye on Wednesday confirmed government’s green light on use of the ground.

“It is a relief as there is a critical shortage of match venues in Blantyre. We only had Escom ground and the Kamuzu Stadium for our fixtures. In fact, teams will straight away have a feel of BAT ground from this Saturday as we have put four Premier Division and Division One games this weekend,” said Simbeye.

On Saturday, the BAT Ground will host a Super League match between BNC Produsak and Prison United, then Nyasa United against Chanco on Sunday.

Division One side Ndirande Icons will entertain Chitakale as a curtain-raiser for Saturday. Griffin Young Stars meet Matamando Black Eagles on Sunday.

Ndalama confirmed on Wednesday that the ground was now ready for use as government had renovated toilets, the drainage system and replaced the broken wooden seats in the terraces.