Construction of a proposed 10,000-capacity multisport arena to cater for the hand games has commenced. Hand games include basketball, volleyball, and tennis among others. The arena, which will be located on Ferwafa artificial turt, next to Amahoro National Stadium in Remera, is also designed to host concerts and meetings. The construction follows a recent facelift on Amahoro National Stadium. The upgrade involved expansion works and additional roofing to protect spectators from extreme weather. The entire project cost Rwf2 billion. The Amahoro National Stadium is a multi-purpose 30,000 stadium, the largest in the country. Leocadie Nyirankunzimana, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Sports and Culture, construction of the multipurpose arena is being financed through government. “This will be a stadium specifically built for hand games, concerts and meetings. It will be like any other stadium but smaller and roofed. The construction is estimated to be complete in June,” he said. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Culture, John Ntigengwa, said in a telephone interview that the construction of the facility is part of a long-term government plan to support sports. “The construction of the arena is part of what the Government is doing to uplift sports in the country. Similar projects are ongoing in Eastern Province where three stadiums are currently being built,” he said. He explained that the project is a joint venture between the Government and Turkish investment company, Summa which operates in 14 countries. In July last year, construction of a $9 million (Rwf8 billion) sports complex kicked off in Kibungo Sector, in Ngoma District, Eastern Province. The stadium, which is expected to host at least 3,000 people, is being constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), a Chinese construction company on a loan that will be repaid by the district over a period of five years. The construction works are expected to generate over 400 jobs. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
