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The Parliamentary Committee on Sport supervised the partial handing over of refurbished facilities at the Siaka Stevens National Stadium by the Chinese Ambassador to the Ministry of Sports (MoS) and the National Sports Authority (NSA).
The stadium has been under a comprehensive refurbishment exercise for four years, funded through a $40 million aid project from the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
Furthermore, the ceremony marked a major milestone, with several key components of the complex now ready for use.
The facilities officially handed over include the newly renovated Stadium Hostel, a modern Basketball Court, the upgraded Practice Field, and the refurbished Swimming Pool area. According to officials, these sections will immediately be made available to athletes, sports associations, and the public, while work continues on the main bowl.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Bangura commended the Chinese Government for its sustained support of Sierra Leone’s sports infrastructure. “This $40 million investment is a demonstration of friendship and partnership. We appreciate the progress made so far,” he said.
However, the Acting Chairman decried the delay in the completion of the stadium’s Main Bowl, which remains the centrepiece of the rehabilitation project. “Sierra Leoneans have waited long to see our national arena fully functional. The people are eager to watch the darling Leone Stars play international matches at home, in a euphoric atmosphere,” he noted.
The Minister of Sports, the Executive Director of the NSA, and the Chinese Ambassador all delivered goodwill messages, reiterating their commitment to promoting football and other sporting disciplines in the country. The NSA boss described the handover as “a new chapter for sports in Sierra Leone,” while the Ambassador reaffirmed China’s willingness to support the timely completion of the project.
Finally, the event ended with a guided tour of the newly handed-over facilities, raising renewed hope among athletes and fans that the full stadium will soon be ready to host international competitions on home soil.
