Government seeks explanations from FAZ regarding K37 million FIFA-funded stadium projects
Government seeks explanations from FAZ regarding K37 million FIFA-funded stadium projects
The Zambian government is seeking explanations from the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) regarding the quality of work carried out on the US$1.5 million FIFA-funded stadium projects.
Sports Minister Elvis Nkandu criticized the standard of the work, labeling it as substandard, and called on FAZ to clarify the situation.
Nkandu expressed concern over FAZ’s decision to hand over the stadiums to the community in their current condition, particularly highlighting issues at Kasama Stadium, David Kaunda Stadium, Mansa Stadium, and Solwezi Stadium.
Nkandu stated, “If what we are seeing is anything to go by, then it’s unfortunate… The works have been shoddy. All of them have had shoddy works.
Kasama (wall) collapsed. David Kaunda is getting waterlogged, and now this Independence Stadium. We have written to them to exculpate themselves on why we should not suspend the Memorandum of Understanding.”
Over the weekend, FAZ reopened Solwezi’s Independence Stadium after nearly two years of renovation costing US$300,000. However, fans were left disappointed by the state of the stadium.
A visit to the stadium revealed worn-out VIP terrace seats, the technical bench area covered by a tent, and terraces where the paint had already washed away.
FIFA provided member associations with US$1.5 million under the FIFA Forward project for stadium renovations.
FAZ selected four stadiums for renovation: David Kaunda Stadium in Chipata, Kasama Sports Stadium in Kasama, Kaole Stadium in Mansa, and Independence Stadium in Solwezi.
