Walter Magaya, the owner of Premier Soccer League club Yadah FC and founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries, has taken his football development efforts to Malawi, where he has launched a new stadium project.
The ground-breaking ceremony for the Heart Stadium 3 project was held at Chipala Community Ground in Ngomani village, Chitikula Traditional Area.
Magaya’s decision to develop stadiums in other countries comes as Zimbabwe struggles to host international matches due to the unavailability of a Caf-certified stadium.
The country’s home matches have been played away from home due to this reason.
When fully developed, the Heart Stadium 3 in Malawi will have a capacity to host international matches, just like Magaya’s other stadium project in Maputo, Mozambique.
Magaya has been vocal about his frustrations with administrative bottlenecks in local authorities, which have hindered his efforts to develop local sporting facilities.
He has been trying to renovate Chibuku Stadium in Chitungwiza and Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield to meet international standards, but his plans have been met with resistance.
In an interview with NewsDay Sport, Magaya expressed his commitment to developing football infrastructure in Zimbabwe and the region. He said he was approached by Malawi to develop a stadium in that country and was able to move quickly with the paperwork.
“I still want to build Chibuku Stadium or Gwanzura Stadium if permitted.
Constructing Chibuku Stadium remains one of my top priorities and I pray that one day, my government will allow me to do that since my last efforts were shot down,” Magaya said.
Magaya’s plans to develop football infrastructure have been welcomed by some prominent football personalities, including former Warriors coach Baltemar Brito and ex-national team captains Willard Katsande and Tapuwa Kapini.
However, Magaya has remained coy on his plans with Zifa, stating that he is currently focused on developing football from the grassroots level.
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