MBABANE – It has been revealed!
After news broke that Prime Minister (PM) Russell Dlamini met with a possible investor for a new international-standard stadium, further details regarding the talks have emerged.
It was reported by this publication yesterday that the PM spoke with Selim Bora, the Chairperson of SUMMA International Construction Group, during his trip to Angola.
It was said that the meeting between the PM and Bora, who is from Turkey, mainly focused on the new stadium.
Reports suggest that government and SUMMA International Construction Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This MoU will show the construction company’s promise to design, finance and build the stadium.
hosting
It will meet the standards set by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for hosting top-tier, ‘Category A’ matches.
Documents seen by this publication suggest that the Turkish company has officially offered to design and build the country’s Stadium Complex.
The documents explained that the project includes design, engineering and related expert advice.
The Turkish company has given government two choices.
The first option is a stadium that can hold 40 000 spectators.
This first stadium option, according to documents, would cost US$219 733 382, which is about E3 906 749 753.16 (over E3.9 billion).
completed
The company expects this project to take 22 months to finish.
The other stadium option, which has room for 50 000 seats, would cost US$266 694 478, which is about E4.7 billion. This bigger stadium is expected to be completed in 24 months.
This comes after government has long said that a modern national stadium is badly needed, promising a world-class facility by 2029.
This important step for sports is clearly stated in the government’s plan of action (PoA) for 2024/25 to 2028/29. The PoA, which is a short to medium-term plan, is based on suggestions from the 2023 Sibaya People’s Parliament and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2023/24 – 2027/28.
Government was specifically told to build important infrastructure, among other key tasks.
urgently
Last July, during the 2023/24 Ingwenyama Cup prize giving, sponsored by the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF), the prime minister agreed that a bigger and more up-to-date national stadium was urgently needed, as the old 56-year-old Somhlolo National Stadium is showing its age.
The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs has been given the job of leading this important national project.
Government thinks the project will cost E6.015 billion, to be paid for by both government and outside money. Eswatini has been actively looking into public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a good way to build this landmark.
According to the plan, other key ministries helping to deliver this Olympic-standard venue include the Ministries of Public Works and Transport, Housing and Urban Development, Economic Planning, Tinkhundla Administration and Development and the Ministry of Finance.
The project is expected to take three years, from 2026 to 2029. However, the exact spot for the new stadium has not yet been announced. Regarding the venue, Eswatini legend and former Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Zwelonke ‘Sport’ Dlamini suggested that the stadium be built at a ‘central’ place like Siphofaneni where there is plenty of land.
He was reacting to this publication’s yesterday report. Government Acting Spokesperson Thabile Mdluli, said they had no further details, apart from the fact that the PM met with the investor.
The proposed project includes:
- Design, engineering and related expert advice
- Main stadium
- Training field
- Basketball & tennis courts
- Spectators piazza
- Open car park.
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