Karonga Stadium was finally opened by Kondowani Namkumwa, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. The stadium has a seating capacity of 20, 000 people.
Karonga stadium development cost over MK500 Million. It was partly locally funded by Local Development Fund (LDF) with the assistance of finances from the Germany Development Corporation. Such development would expand generation of income of Karonga District Council.
In his speech during the official opening, Minister Kondowani Namkumwa said that the stadium was aimed at sports promotion at the district level. This was apart from enabling the council to maximize collection of revenue from its development.
Mr. Namkumwa also keenly noted the need for the councils in the country to efficiently maximize collection of revenues. However, he said such actions could not be possible without proper infrastructure. He said that the government was committed to initiating such development projects throughout the country under Local Development Fund.
The minister added that it was vital for the councils to maximize revenue collected from such facilities to be able to offer quality services to the public. This would further prove important for districts with the country’s decentralized government.
Minister Namkumwa also revealed that the president was highly passionate about development projects directly impacting on youths in the country. More so, the youth’s love for sports was the primary drive for the government to undertake more projects in construction of community stadiums. This would apply in every district across the country. Namkumwa pointed out that such projects would give youths an opportunity to develop their talents, especially in various sporting activities. The minister further urged the district council of Karonga to ensure that the facility was utilized in the right way and sustainably.
Kossum Munthali, the chairperson of the Karonga stadium construction committee, expressed gratitude to the government for undertaking such a development. He said that Karonga youths were football lovers and had for long wished for such a stadium. It was 18 years since plans to have a stadium in the district were hatched and finally it had become a reality.
Mr. Munthali also thanked the government through LDF for making plans initially initiated by Karonga residents come true. He also revealed that plans were ongoing to educate the public in the proper use of the stadium to avoid vandalism. Additionally, the district had opened an account whereby 10 percent of the revenue collected at the facility would be used for its maintenance. The stadium opening occasion was accompanied by local traditional dances, drama and a football match between Iponga and Chilumba Barracks.
Apart from Karonga stadium, the government has also constructed Rumphy, Mangochi, Kasungu, and Mulanje among others through LDF.
