Blantyre City South legislator Noel Lipipa has negotiated for a new ground for Zingwangwa Secondary School and the surrounding community next to the school’s teachers’ houses.
This follows government’s decision to allocate the school’s initial ground for the construction of Nyasa Big Bullets stadium at Moneymen along Chikwawa Road.
Lipipa, who is also one of Bullets’ directors, said following discussions with Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture officials, it was resolved that the contractors, China Civil Engineering, would clear a nearby piece of land for the school’s ground.
He said: “Clearing of the land has already started and should be ready soon. It will also be used by communities from the surrounding areas as was the case before the school ground was allocated for the Bullets stadium project.
“As the member of Parliament for the area, a former Zingwangwa Secondary School pupil and also a Bullets director, I am excited that we have found a way out. I am also proud that Bullets stadium has been built in my constituency.
“In fact, once the stadium is completed, the school as well as the surrounding communities will be allowed to use it for selected matches.”
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture spokesperson Simon Mbvundula also confirmed the arrangement.
“Yes, a piece of land was identified for the school ground and it is being worked on,” he said.
One of the construction workers also confirmed to Weekend Nation that they have started with the school ground.
The news comes as a relief for the school and the surrounding communities who were worried with the allocation of their ground to Bullets stadium project.
Last week, President Peter Mutharika presided over the groundbreaking ceremony of Bullets and their rivals Be Forward Wanderers’ stadia projects.
The Bullets stadium project is estimated to cost K3.8 billion.
