‘Get title deeds’
Local football giants Be Forward Wanderers and Nyasa Big Bullets have been urged to claim title deeds from government to confirm ownership of the plots for their proposed stadia.
Football analyst Humphreys Mvula said in an interview yesterday that the title deeds for the two plots must be given to each of the clubs to confirm their ownership.
“And there should also be a proper memorandum of understanding because it becomes difficult to make any transactions in future.
“The grounds will not belong to the two teams if they are not given the title deeds and under such circumstances, it would be a challenge to further develop the places,” he said.
Mvula also said while awaiting completion of the stadia, the two teams should also be allowed to use Kamuzu Stadium for free on agreed concession.
Reacting to the sentiments, Nomads chairperson Symon Sikwese said: “We are very thankful for the stadiums. However, having the title deeds in our name would indeed make us more confident that we really own the property.”
Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga asked for more time to consult before commenting on the issue.
But Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Chancy Simwaka said it is not his ministry that processes title deeds.
He said: “And there are still many issues that we have not completed in relation to the issue and title deeds is one of them, but what I can say is that at the moment, it’s government land.
“The stadia are being constructed by government, so we do not know at what point they will be given to the teams. The legal process is still underway.”
President Peter Mutharika last week presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of the projects estimated to cost about K7.5 billion.
Bullets stadium will be constructed at Zingwangwa Secondary School ground near Moneymen Club along Chikwawa Road while Wanderers will have theirs at Kanjedza Forest near Blantyre Teachers College.
The projects, being carried out by Chinese construction companies, are expected to take two years.
On Saturday, estranged Vice-President Saulos Chilima also urged the two clubs to claim title deeds for the plots as confirmation of ownership.
