Sierra Leone’s Minister of Sports, Madam Augusta James-Teima, has said the partial handing over of the Siaka Steven’s Stadium will facilitate the usage of sporting discipline and it won’t be business as usual because it will be a public-private partnership.
According to Madam James-Teima, the Stadium project is a testament of Sierra Leone and China partnership adding that despite it has never been an easy journey in negotiations but their was light at the end of the tunnel.
She said after the agreement of the seating insulation, the change of slab was the cause of the delay, adding that when the project is finally completed, the stadium will be state of the earth that will return comfort.
“The partial handing over will facilitate the usage of sporting discipline. It won’t be business as usual because it will be a public-private partnership,” she said and revealed that the practicing field, the swimming pool, and basketball would be fully run whiles the main bowl and the tennis will still be under renovation.
China officially handed over a portion of the $40 million rehabilitation project at the Sierra Leone Stadium. The completed facilities, which include a training field, basketball court, volleyball court, and swimming pool, are now open and accessible to the public.
The partial handover ceremony marked a significant milestone in the redevelopment of the national sports complex. The remaining component of the project, the main stadium bowl, is nearing completion. When finished, it will feature upgraded facilities designed to meet international standards set by FIFA and CAF, ensuring Sierra Leone’s ability to host major sporting events.