GOVERNMENT will soon be announcing bids for Zambian construction companies to replace the tattered running tracks and turf at Lusaka’s National Heroes Stadium and Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.
Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts permanent secretary Chileshe Kangwa said if Zambian companies do not have the capacity to take up the contract, they can partner with foreign companies.
Kangwa said the repair works will have to be done after the June 17, AfCON qualifiers against Ivory Coast in Ndola before Zambia hosts another match.
Kangwa said both stadiums need to be worked and the authority at Confederation for African Football (CAF) allowed Zambia to host the AfCON qualifier game against Ivory Coast but the turf and the tracks will have to be changed for the next matches.
Kangwa further said the pitch and the tracks on the two stadiums needed to be replaced because they had outlived their 10 year lifespan.
“We were granted permission by the authority that we can host the game on the 17th with Ivory Coast but after the game, Levy also needs a new track, a new pitch otherwise it will not qualify,” Kangwa said.
For National Heroes Stadium, Kangwa said the infrastructure has had challenges even during its construction.
“There was a partnership that was entered into with the Chinese constructing company to maintain the stadium but they backed out and left it for government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kangwa revealed plans of setting up a Television station for the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts to cover numerous sports which are not mostly given a platform.
He said there were many sports activities and events that take place in the country and abroad by Zambian teams but they are not given media attention.
Kangwa said the TV station will save as a platform that highlights numerous sports and promote talent identification.
By Moses Makwaya
Kalemba, June 2, 2023
