FAZ CHECKS ON PROGRESS OF FIFA FUNDED STADIA

The Football Association of Zambia and the consultant under the FIFA funded stadia rehabilitation and upgrade program undertook a tour of two stadia to check on progress.

FAZ Deputy General Secretary Joseph Chimpampwe, accompanied by secretariat staff and MP Consulting Firm chief Mathias Phiri toured Kasama Sports Stadium in Northern Province and Koale in Luapula.

Both stadia rehabilitation exercises are fully funded by FIFA through a partnership secured by FAZ.The visit was to provide a status report of the projects before the next phase of works according to the roadmap set for completion.In Kasama, the contractor Nambwa Construction has made significant strides in the preliminary works that comprise erecting a new perimeter fence and some rudimentary works in the dressing rooms.

The proposed ticketing offices and ablution blocks are off the ground.

On the pitch, the contractors Artificial Grass Africa who will lay a natural grass surface has already peeled off the surface and expected to accelerate the works in the aftermath of the 2021 season that saw the pitch still being in use.

FAZ Northern Province chairperson Mwansa Kapyanga was on the ground to re-align the expectations of the province with the contractor and consultant.

Project Consultant Mathais Phiri provided an artistic impression of the completed facility that will see dressing rooms, playing surface, security fence, VIP stand clean up and roofing, ticketing offices FAZ office and ablution blocks.

In Mansa the works showed the perimeter fence almost wholly constructed with the playing surface combed out and laid out in preparation for the laying of grass.

A FIFA certified turf expert will lay the grass at all the four stadia with a state of art drainage system that will power the grass. The ablution blocks are under construction with the VIP stand fenced off in preparation for the clean-up.

FAZ Luapula Province chairperson Mweemba Mujala said the project was now in full flight after being delayed by the rain season and the clubs that were using Kaole Stadium for their games.Mujala said FAZ was keeping a close eye on the contractor to ensure that works were being done to the highest quality.

The contractor for Kaole Stadium is Portand Mining and Construction.

Last month a delegation from FIFA visited David Kaunda and Independence Stadium in Solwezi to inspect the progress on the stadia under rehabilitation.

FIFA is funding rehabilitation of four stadia namely Kaole (Luapula), Independence (North Western), Kasama (Northern) and David Kaunda (Eastern).

Zurich has provided USD$1.2 million for the four stadia that is being released in phases.

Funding for the next phase depends on having fulfilled all the requirements under the previous cycle with stringent accountability measures applied.

The four stadia were initially projected to wind down in six months from commencement of the works but have seen an adjustment considering the disruption caused by the rain season.However, the revised completion dates will see the stadia launched before the commencement of the 2022 season.