Govt budget K2 billion for Achinyamata centres
Ministry of Youth and Sports says it has completed designs for ‘Achinyamata Centre’ project in Lilongwe and is ready to start construction works.
‘Achinyamata Centre’ is the Tonse Alliance administration brainchild to improve youth centres nationwide to ensure that the youth are active by participating in sporting and recreational activities.
In an interview on Thursday, Minister of Youth and Sports Ulemu Msungama said they will soon start the construction of ‘Achinyamata Centre’ near Kamuzu Institute for Sports in Lilongwe.
He said K2 billion has been earmarked for the project in the next three years.
He said: “This year, we pushed for K350 million. We have already done designs and we really want to start this year. Covid-19 has affected our plans, but I am committed that we should have the centre soon.”
The minister said the centre will house sporting facilities, National Youth Council of Malawi offices, youth hostels for accommodation and recreational facilities.
“The centre in Lilongwe will be different from those at district and traditional authority (T/A) levels. In future, we want to construct youth centres in every T/A. In this way, we will be able to nurture youths to pursue their favourite pastime games into careers. Sometimes our youths are unruly and resort to bad behaviour because they have nothing to do,” said Msungama.
Malawi Schools Sports Association (Massa) president Blackson Malamula commended government for planning to construct youth centres nationwide.
“If you travel in other countries, youth centres are in every township or neighbourhood. Even in small areas, you will find football pitches, courts for basketball, netball, volleyball, tennis and many other games either owned by government or the private sector. We need such kind of centres in Malawi.
“Youths like playing games but it should not just be football and netball but all other games. It’s a good initiative by government and as Massa, we commend them. We hope they do that in every district
