Makwala gives up on ‘his’ stadium
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday November 3, 2025 06:13
Makwala was initially denied a chance to compete due to a health scare but was eventually permitted to race in a 200m solo run, which catapulted the athlete to global stardom. He then went on to clock 20.20 seconds to qualify for the semi-finals after being cleared to compete following norovirus quarantine.
The stadium's construction faced several delays, but work by contractors for components like the boundary wall and change rooms started in late 2021.
The project has faced political wrangling. In 2023, claims emerged that former president Mokgweetsi Masisi’s administration was dilly dallying in acknowledging the name, referring to it only as the Tutume Stadium.
There have also been reports of some villagers expressing opposition to the naming, though this was contradicted by other community members.
Speaking to MmegiSport, Makwala said he has long given up on the project because he does not benefit from it.
“But what I know is that I am the reason why the stadium was built in Tutume. There was no plan to construct a stadium in Tutume,” he said.
“From the beginning, I was never engaged about the project or say anything to me. People just fight over it; there was disagreement as to which ward it should be constructed in, and everyone wanted it in their ward. Before he passed on, my father warned me to just forget about the project.”
Makwala says he does not even know where the stadium is located and is not even interested in seeing it. The Tutume District Council is yet to meet over the stadium.
Tutume council secretary, Charles Amos, said the stadium's official name is Tutume Community Stadium.
He explained it was sentimental for the stadium to be named after Makwala, but it is a matter that is to be pursued by the political leadership.
Amos added the Tutume District Council is yet to meet with the relevant ministers to conclude on the name of the stadium.
According to the council secretary, there was no way the stadium could be named after Makwala without consulting the athlete.
“Officially, when a project is given a name, there should be an award letter, but in this case, we do not have such a reference,” he said. “I am aware of what happened after the announcement was made.”
He noted there have been delays in completing the project due to financial challenges, but the facility is being constructed in phases.
Amos said they have advertised a tender for borehole drilling, but at the moment, companies have not shown interest in the project, adding that an artificial turf and the running track are to be installed.