FAM contradicts Bingu Stadium on CAF inspection
FAM says the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to come up with a date to inspect stadia for international matches.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Alfred Gunda was reacting to Bingu National Stadium (BNS) claims that CAF will inspect the facility next month.
In a letter addressed to Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) of Prophet Shepherd Bushiri dated December 12, signed by acting manager Ambilike Mwaungulu, BNS says: “The stadium will be undergoing maintenance in preparation for CAF inspection which will happen in early January 2021.”
However, Gunda said since the postponement of the initial inspection due to Covid-19, CAF has not communicated on fresh dates for the exercise.
He said: “As a national FA [football association], CAF deals with us on all matters relating to the game and if they are coming in January, then we were supposed to be the first to know.
“But BNS is indeed one of the facilities that we recommended for inspection, the others being Kamuzu and Mpira stadiums. It is important that we clarify that to avoid misconceptions.
“However, as facility owners, it is at their [BNS] discretion to decide on the use of the facility.”
Mwaungulu yesterday referred the matter to Ministry of Youth and Sports spokesperson Simon Mbvundula who said: “Whether the CAF stadium inspection will be held or not, we would like to have the stadium ready by January.”
In the letter, BNS further states that at the time of CAF inspection, management might not have enough time “to restore the stadium to its normal status due to anticipated damages and losses during your [ECG] function”.
