Minister of Sports Augutsa Teima and the National Stadium Management have  inspected  the work progress of the National Stadium under renovation by Chinese Contactors.

Impressively, they have started laying a new a artificial turf football practicing field, soil track, a new 1,500 seat aluminum alloy structure stand, two integrated and prefabricated simple toilets, renovated ball courts, new fences and new retaining wall.

The ongoing refurbishment includes the restoration, reinforcement and redecoration of the stadium bowl, the pitch, practice field with artificial turf and pavilion.

Renovation works at Sierra Leone’s National Stadium is expected to be completed this year, 2024. This is according to an earlier tweet made by the former Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi.

The renovation of Sierra Leone’s only state-owned international stadium is being funded by the Chinese Government.

The 36,000 capacity stadium was built by Chinese contractors in 1979 but was officially opened in 1980. The stadium has been serving as the home ground for the Sierra Leone national team, Leone Stars and several other local premier league clubs including East End Lions and Mighty Blackpool.

The stadium last hosted an international match when Leone Stars hosted the Super Eagles of Nigeria in an AFCONQ match.

Local football-loving fans are feeling nostalgic and soon hope the stadium is completed by the stipulated timeframe.