Government says it will outsource Kamuzu Stadium and Bingu National Stadium (BNS) to improve efficiency in management of the facilities.
Once the plan materialises the facilities will be advertised on the market for firms, individuals or organisation to place their bids.
Minister of Youth and Sports Ulemu Msungama said the decision is one of the ministry’s reform areas aimed at ensuring the stadiums operate as commercial entities.
He said: “The ministry acknowledges existence of challenges in managing Kamuzu and Bingu stadiums as a result of financial constraints.
“As a ministry we have already started the process of getting the automated ticket management to, among other things, help in increasing revenue base.
“Furthermore, we also are having the two stadia outsourced to enhance management efficiency, starting with the Bingu Stadium.”
The stadium is choking with a K97 million debt after failing to pay some service providers.
It owes Omega Security Services K34.3 million which dates back from the time the security company started providing services at the stadium.
The stadium also owes Escom K28 million in electricity bills.
Mchepa Landscapers is owed K16.3 million while Kaunda Landscapers is owed K13 million.
Oasis Furniture, who furnished the stadium’s dressing rooms, are owed K3.6 million while Commercial World, who produced official opening documentary and videos that shows how to use some of the stadium’s facilities, is owed K2.5 million.
The stadium needs not less than K10 million a month for its operations, yet it only gets a meagre K4 million from government.
That amount alone is not enough to pay water and electricity bills which hit K6 million a month.
Kamuzu Stadium, built during the colonial era, is heavily dilapidated and was already blacklisted as a safety hazard by world football governing body Fifa.
Government has failed to renovate its stands and opted to cordon off affected ones, leading to the capacity being reduced from 40 000 to 15 000.
Sports marketing consultant Felix Ngamanya Sapao observed that government’s sports facilities suffer from abuse due to poor management.
He said: “The problem in Malawi is that when we build a stadium we think it ends there. But the thing is that maintaining a stadium needs expertise.
“Not every Jim and Jack can manage property. We need people who are qualified to do that. Privatisation of the stadiums could be a solution.
“Right now we have a situation where stadiums meant for sports are abused by hosting other events such as live music performances. That is wrong.
“In Europe, stepping on a field of play even during stadium tours is prohibited. There is a fine of not less than 10 000 pounds for that.
“That’s how serious our friends are when it comes to stadium management.”
Super League of Malawi president Tiya Somba-Banda welcomed the outsourcing of stadiums, saying this will help improve gate management.
