Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) has announced that works to construct three new district stadiums in the Eastern province will start next month. The move, which is in line with government’s seven year programme to promote sports, will see stadiums built in the districts of Nyagatare, Ngoma and Bugesera, with capacity to accomodate 3000 people each. Eric Serubibi, the Director General of Rwanda Housing Authority, said that the works are expected to end within 11 months. RHA, the partner in the project, will oversee the implementation of the construction activities. Ahead of the project, the government has been courting investors. According to RHA, the facilities will not only serve as football grounds but they will also include other facilities like athletics track and field, along with hosting other sporting disciplines. Serubibi said there is a flexibility to adjust the design of the stadiums to increase their capacities in case such a need arises. The district stadium projects are in addition to the long-awaited project to construct Gahanga Olympic Stadium with a capacity of 40,000 people. According to the Director of Sports at the Ministry of Sports, Emmanuel Bugingo, the planed stadiums will enable the country to host continental and global competitions in various disciplines and boost the country’s target of being a sports tourism destination. Fred Mufulukye, the Eastern Province Governor, believes that the facilities will open doors to business in the province. “Once the activities to build the facilities start, citizens will get jobs. it will also lead to more infrastructure, something which will promote public events, concerts and cultural ceremonies.” editorial@newtimes.co.rw
