Malawi’s main stadium to have artificial turf

Work on a state-of-the-art artificial turf project is underway at Malawi’s main Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, the commercial city, APA learnt here Tuesday.

The artificial turf at the stadium will be constructed by a US-based firm, ACT Global Sports, a cost of 99 million kwacha (US$700,000).

As a result of the work, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Walter Nyamilandu said on Tuesday that the stadium will be closed for 12 weeks in during the construction of the artificial surface at the 50,000-seat stadium.

"The logistical arrangements for the project have been finalised and the work has started," he said.

He added the installation of the artificial turf will improve the standard of play among players in the country.

Nyamilandu added that all local and international games played within this period will be shifted to the capital Lilongwe and other small stadia within Blantyre.

He said the stadium, when finished, would meet international requirements — thereby attracting countries to camp in Malawi while waiting for the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA, through ACT Global Sports, will provide technical training and an expert every three months to monitor the artificial surface.