A China-aided national stadium rehabilitation project in Sierra Leone was officially handed to a Chinese construction company Friday.
The project contracted by China’s Gansu Construction Investment Holding Group Limited is set to officially commence in March and is expected to last for two years.
According to the company, the project will include the restoration, reinforcement and redecoration of the main stadium, the swimming pool and it ancillary facilities, the renovation of the athletes hostel, the construction of more than 1,200 square meters of new buildings and facilities, the renewal of drainage, power distribution, ventilation and air conditioning, the installation of a new display screen, artificial turf, fast racing track and new lighting equipment, etc.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Hu Zhangliang said the project is to celebrate the China-Sierra Leone friendship which has lasted for more than 50 years.
Ambassador Hu said that China and Sierra Leone enjoy time-honored friendship. He said that H.E. President Xi Jinping attaches great importance to the development of China-Sierra Leone relations.
He said that Sierra Leone national stadium was established in 1979, some 43 years ago with a capacity of 30,000 seats built by China. He said that stadium is not only a landmark in Freetown, but also a standing monument of China-Sierra Leone friendship. He added that apart from hosting major sports events, the stadium has also hosted a series of large-scale gatherings that are of political, economic and social significance. He disclosed that at the request of the Sierra Leonean government, the Chinese government decided to rehabilitate the stadium again, with a view to making it one of the most modern and comprehensive stadium in Africa.
Ambassador said that China has been supporting Sierra Leone for the past 50 years. He said that in 2018, the Chinese completed over 20 programs or projects for Sierra Leone, including the provision of nearly 9,000 tons of rice aid to Sierra Leone, the refurbishment of the Presidential Lounge at the Lungi International Airport, the 13th phase of Agricultural Technical Cooperation, the Reconstruction of the Myohaung Officer’s Mess and Single Officer’s Quarters, the construction of the Freetown 3.2 Km Ring Road (from Limkokwing University to the Regent Village), the National Fiber Optical Transmission Backbone Phase II.
The Chinese envoy said over the years, under various Chinese Government Scholarships programs, the chinese side has sponsored more than 1000 Sierra Leoneans students to study in China and invited more than 5100 Sierra Leonean friends from all works of life to China for short-term training courses or exchange.
He said that China will continue to work closely with African Countries, including Sierra Leone, to promote genuine multinationalism, maintain the UN-centered international system and address various risks and challenges.
“This is a testament of the true bond that exists between the two countries,” said Sierra Leonean Sports Minister Ibrahim Nyelenkeh at the ceremony. “It is time for the sport to grow. It is time for Sierra Leone to start hosting international sporting tournaments.” ■
Minister of Sports said he was excited to see such development under his leadership.
He further reiterated that the stadium will be shut down for almost two years. He encouraged Sierra Leoneans to excise patience for a modern facility which will aid other sporting activities within the stadium.
He further said that on many occasions Sierras Leone had been denied hosting home matches, noting that after the completion of the project the country will host home matches.
By Desmond Tunde Coker