Stadium renovation hit fever peak

Accra, Feb 9, GNA - Construction works at the national Wembley, the Ohene Djan Stadium, Accra has started in earnest with the Osu Stand hauled down.

This is to pave way for the commencement of the construction of a replica of the May 9 Stand at the Osu Stand, as part of efforts to meet the 40,000 all-seater arrangement required by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to host the bi-annual competition in 2008. Jimmy Castagna, Project Manager of Michileti and Company Limited, the contractors tasked with the refurbishment of the stadium, told the "We will soon proceed to the next stage after clearing the area", Mr Castagna told the GNA Sports.

The Popular Stand will remain untouched but would equally witness a similar design as the May 9 Stand to be erected behind it. The VIP and the Upper Terrace, according to the Project Manager would only witness a facelift capable of meeting the set requirement. According to Castagna, the site that would be recovered from the running tracks would be excavated four meters down for the provision of new seats to meet the 40,000 all-sitting arrangement mandated by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF).

Michileti, tasked to simultaneously renovate the El Wak Stadium for other sporting activities plans an eight lane tartan tracks with new dressing and washrooms.

The works that commenced late last year is also expected to affect part of the tennis courts, swimming pool and the main Sports Hall. Ghana, beginning from January to February 2008 would host the rest of Africa in the continent's most glamorous soccer piece for the second time in eight years.

Ghana and Nigeria made history by co-hosting the 2000 event, which was the maiden one in the history of the biannual fiesta. The Ohene Djan stadium is among the quartet venues slated for the competition.

Whilst the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi would see similar facelift, new Stadia would be constructed in Sekondi and Tamale.