Babilaks to construct a 40, 000 seater stadium

Babilaks construction limited, a Turkish company under the Babil group of companies has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Sports and Culture to oversee the construction of a 40,000 seater stadium in Gahanga sector, Kicukiro district.The new stadium is a requirement for the hosting of the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN).The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Edward Kalisa told Saturday Sport yesterday, “We have signed a memorandum of understanding for the stadium construction with the Turkish company, giving them the authority to make a feasibility study in Gahanga,”“We will be able to know the total cost of the project and even sign a contract after the feasibility study,” added Kalisa.Kalisa further added that Rwanda’s desire is to have construction work start in September and end officially in October, 2015.The stadium will cost between $40 million to $60 million.The Babilaks representative based in Rwanda, Eric Rutayisire said, “This 40,000 seater stadium to be built in Gahanga will be completed before 2016 in order to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN),”Mustafa Cem-Ozdemir, the international development officer at Babilaks who represented the company at the signing of the agreement late last month said that the stadium project and its surroundings will be among the first successful public private partnerships in the country.“Babilaks promise to deliver a first class and beautiful stadium meeting FIFA standards,” added Mustafa.Mustafa further pointed out that the company chose Kigali to host its African headquarters because of safety and the favorable environment for investment provided by the government of RwandaTo be a leader with its concept of high-quality service in projects, the stadium project at Gahanga will also include a manmade lake, Park, Hotel, conference halls, shopping mall and other various training facilities.Babil group has projects in Azerbaijan, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo Brazzaville, Iraq and its international headquarters located in Istanbul, the capital city of Turkey.The group of companies, operating in the areas of tourism and construction since 2004, operates under the brand BABIL GROUP.Stadia ExpansionExisting stadiums, including Amahoro, Nyamirambo and Rubavu will be expanded so as to meet the standards that are yet to be communicated by the Confederation of African Football [CAF].Muhanga and Huye Stadia may host the tournament since most of the work that is being done at the two stadia will wind up mid this year.HostsRwanda was picked to host the prestigious event after deliberations by the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) held in Lubumbashi, DR Congo in 2011.Rwanda was endorsed to host the 2016 CHAN edition after the country staged two successful youth continental tournaments in a space of three years, including the 2009 U-20 Africa youth championship as well as the U-17 championship in 2011.This year, Amavubi are bidding to qualify for next year’s edition which will be held in South Africa.Amavubi Stars will start their campaign in the first round facing the winner between Eritrea and Ethiopia in June this year.Chan is a competition reserved for African players featuring in their respective domestic leagues. Democratic Republic of Congo won the inaugural tournament in Cote d’Ivoire in 2009, while Tunisia won the 2011 edition in Sudan.