GOVERNMENT REVEALS 500 SEATS DESTROYED AT MWANAWASA STADIUM

GOVERNMENT REVEALS 500 SEATS DESTROYED AT MWANAWASA STADIUM

GOVERNMENT has revealed that over 500 seats were damaged on Sunday at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium following a protest by suspected Nkana fans, who expressed their displeasure at a penalty awarded to Power Dynamos during the Kitwe Derby.

Despite efforts by all stakeholders to advise fans against acts of hooliganism, supporters disregarded the calls and engaged in behaviour that has left the Government and many stakeholders disheartened.

After an entertaining display of football from both teams, tensions escalated in the 80th minute when referee Hillary Hambaba awarded a penalty to Power Dynamos after Prince Mumba was brought down in the box.

Fearing their lead was under threat, Nkana fans and players protested, and the situation worsened when Power’s Brian Masanyinga converted the penalty, leveling the score at 1-1.

Suspected Nkana fans responded by throwing missiles onto the pitch, while others vented their anger on the stadium seats breaking and hurling them onto the running track.

Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Elvis Nkandu disclosed that preliminary investigations indicate over 500 seats were destroyed.

“I have never witnessed such an ugly scene like the one we saw at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, where people started uprooting chairs. Our preliminary investigation suggests that more than 500 chairs were uprooted,” Nkandu said.

He described the fans’ behaviour as deeply disappointing.

“The ugly scenes we witnessed, I am a witness myself, are unacceptable. Even if you have a grievance, you cannot resort to damaging your own property. This infrastructure you see here is the only one of its kind in the country,” he added.

Mwebantu