Mandela stadium facelift commences

Aug 01, 2010

RENOVATION work worth (17m Chinese Yuan) sh4.5bn has began at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole. The repairs will last eight months.

By James Bakama

RENOVATION work worth (17m Chinese Yuan) sh4.5bn has began at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

The repairs, to last eight months, will cover the electronic score board, running tracks and the entire stadium’s lighting system.

Sun Hua, who heads a team of engineers from China, has promised a good job that would ensure that the complex remains among the continent’s best.

Speaking at a luncheon at Namboole, Hua said his team was highly qualified and was already working with an equally competent team of local personnel.

Assistant sports commissioner Omara Apita said the renovation followed a 2008 application to China for provision of spare parts and overhaul of some stadium sections.

The repairs follow a construction agreement signed in January this year by the two nations.

Education and sports permanent secretary Francis Lubanga signed for Uganda while Chinese embassy Economic and commercial counselor Zhang Aiming represented China.

The old fashioned bulb-style score board will be replaced by modern light-emitting diode technology. It will be a full colour electronic scoreboard with a clock.

The running tracks will be renewed with a polyurethane layer and granules. Lines and other athletics marks will be repainted. Long jump take-off boards will be replaced and the pole vault area also improved.
The outside running track that is usually used for warm-up or training will be paved with systematic surfacing material.

The floodlight system for competition in the main bowl will also be refurbished. Electrical repairs will include light fittings and replacement of distribution cabinets.

The road lighting system inside the surrounding wall of the main bowl will also be renewed. Damaged underground electric cables are also to be replaced.

The stadium that has a capacity of 45,202 people was completed in 1996 and handed over to the Ugandan government in 1997.

It was built with a $36m grant from the Chinese government. It was opened in 1997 with a concert by South African reggae artiste Lucky Dube.

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