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| An artist rendition of the new stadium. Unlike the Ahmadu Ahidjo Stadium, Paul Biya’s stadium will be Cameroon’s first fully covered stadium |
An Italian bank, Intesa Sanpaolo is putting at the disposal of the
government of Cameroon the sum of 139 billion FRS as loan for the
construction of an ultra-modern sports complex of international standard
at Olembe, outskirts of Yaoundé.
The
contract was signed Tuesday, August 16. Representing the Italian side
was the Chargés d’Affairs at the Italian Embassy in Yaoundé, and the
Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Development, Louis Paul
Motaze signed on behalf of Cameroon.
During
the signing ceremony, Motaze thanked the Italian government and bank
for coming to the aid of Cameroon at this crucial moment when it is
preparing to host some major sporting events. The Minister showered
praises on the Italian firm, Group Piccini that has won the contract for
accepting to even start the preliminary part of the construction works
before the loan contract is signed. To Motaze, it is a sign of
confidence on Cameroon.
Construction
work on the 60,000 capacity stadium is expected to begin next month and
will cost a global sum of 163 billion FRS. Part of the funding (24
billion FRS) will come from the government of Cameroon.
The
stadium will host an Olympic swimming pool, a gymnasium as well as a
hotel. It will be built on 34 hectares of land and named after Paul
Biya. The greatest innovation is the fact that the stadium will be fully
covered taking the shape of a bird nest unlike all the others that are
partially covered.
The
edifice is being erected in preparation for the upcoming African Cup of
Nations (AFCON), male category that will be hosted by Cameroon in 2019.
Some of the earmarked hosting towns include Yaoundé, Douala, Limbe, and
Bafoussam. With the present insecurity in the North, Garoua may likely
forfeit its chances of receiving some of the teams in competition.
It
will be the second time the AFCON is coming to Cameroon, the last was
in 1972. In October 2015, the Minister of Urban Development and Housing,
Jean Claude Mbwetchou was in Douala to launch the construction of a
50,000 capacity stadium for the same purpose.
SOURCE: Cameroon Daily Journal
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