Negotiations between government and potential contractors for the construction of a major sports hub in Kigali's Remera suburb have reached advanced stages, The New Times has learned.
According to the Ministry of Infrastructure, at least 21 hectares in Remera close to where Amahoro National Stadium and Kigali Arena are located, will get a major facelift. The goal is to transform the area into a sports hub with the capacity to host global tournaments.
Works to upgrade the area were scheduled to kick off in 2020; however, a reliable source told The New Times that the government was yet to finalise negotiations with the main contractor.
Noel Nsanzineza, the Acting Director-General of Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA), told The New Times that the government will soon sign a contract with a joint venture between a potential contractor, and another local firm. The aim is to start works in early 2021.
The Kigali Arena, Amahoro Stadium, and Amahoro indoor stadium, commonly known as Petit Stade, will be part of the proposed Sports Hub. A number of establishments will also have to relocate to pave way for the sports centre. The Ministry of Infrastructure recently told the media that a master plan of the sports centre had been developed and all games that will be hosted there are mapped on the master plan.
The project will start with the upgrade of Amahoro stadium whose capacity is projected to increase to 45,000 from the current 25,000, as well as the refurbishment of Amahoro indoor stadium and the Paralympic Games Gymnasium.
"The Ministry of Finance is exploring various options of financing the project without necessarily jeopardising initiatives geared toward (prevention of the spread of) Covid-19,” he said.
The proposed sports centre is also expected to have a shopping mall, which will be funded by a private investor as well as a hotel whose construction will be financed by the national football governing body (Ferwafa).
Boosting sports development’
The Remera Sports Centre is expected to be home to playgrounds for different sports disciplines, including basketball, football, tennis, and cycling.
Stakeholders in the sports sector have commended the country for availing as many sports infrastructures as possible as it can inspire local players and teams to work harder and perform better at international competitions.
For Alexis Sharangabo, the Secretary-General of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, having good sports infrastructure is a sign that Rwanda is on the right path of sports development.
"As a former Olympian, especially an athlete, I know what having sports infrastructure means. To have facilities that are on international standards helps teams and players to improve their performances,” Sharangabo said.
"But we need to see more facilities built from the grassroots level where the majority of talents are born and raised because not everyone can access these high-standard facilities,” he said
Sharangabo added that such facilities also create an opportunity for sports tourism, through hosting international tournaments and sports conferences.
"There are chances of hosting more international competitions where our teams can learn from visiting teams in addition to revenues generated by these facilities,” he said.