Build a sporting future that will outlive AFCON

ZANZIBAR: “BUILDING a stadium is one achievement; turning it into a lasting sporting asset is quite another. As Zanzibar prepares to welcome Africa for AFCON 2027, the bigger challenge will be ensuring that Fumba Stadium leaves a legacy that extends far beyond the tournament.”

Will the island emerge with a stronger sporting culture, better opportunities for young athletes, more international competitions and a thriving sports tourism industry?

Or will Fumba Stadium become another impressive sporting facility whose full potential remains untapped? These are important questions as construction of Fumba Stadium gathers momentum ahead of the tournament, which Tanzania will co-host with Kenya and Uganda in 2027.

For Zanzibar, the project represents an opportunity to redefine its place on Africa’s sporting map. It is not simply about building a modern football stadium or providing a suitable venue for visiting teams and supporters.

More importantly, it is about creating a lasting infrastructure legacy capable of transforming the island’s sporting landscape for generations. The Executive Secretary of the Zanzibar National Sports Council, Said Kassim Marine, is confident that the project is progressing in the right direction.

During a recent visit to the construction site, Marine expressed satisfaction with the progress made since his previous inspection, noting that significant developments had taken place. The government is targeting completion and handover by the end of this year.

He described Fumba Stadium as one of the biggest sports infrastructure investments under Zanzibar’s current government, emphasising that its significance would extend well beyond AFCON 2027. And that is precisely where the real value of this investment lies.

AFCON will offer Zanzibar an international platform, bringing together football supporters, players, officials, sponsors, broadcasters and visitors from across Africa and beyond. However, the tournament should be regarded as the beginning of a much bigger sporting journey rather than the ultimate destination.

A modern stadium will attract international attention, but its lasting value will depend on how effectively it is utilised after the tournament. For Zanzibar, this means developing a clear strategy for hosting international football matches, regional competitions, athletics events, boxing championships and other sporting activities capable of attracting participants and spectators throughout the year.

The presence of Frankfurtbased international boxer and MMA double champion Max Coga during Marine’s inspection visit also highlighted the opportunities available beyond football. Coga, who accompanied the government official to the construction site, said he was impressed by the scale of the development and its potential to create opportunities for different sporting disciplines.

“Right now, I see many more opportunities for sports in this area. It is great to see what is coming up in 2027 and I am proud to be part of this project,” he said.

His observations reinforce an important point: Zanzibar should not restrict Fumba Stadium’s ambitions to football alone. The facility could become part of a wider sporting and entertainment destination, hosting international competitions, combat sports, cultural events and other activities capable of attracting visitors.

This is particularly significant because Zanzibar already enjoys international recognition as a tourism destination. Its beaches, cultural heritage, historical attractions and hospitality industry have made it attractive to visitors from different parts of the world.

Sports tourism is increasingly becoming an important component of the global tourism industry. International tournaments, training camps, sporting festivals and professional competitions attract visitors who spend money on accommodation, transport, food, entertainment and other services.

For Zanzibar, the opportunity lies in combining its established tourism attractions with modern sporting infrastructure to develop a more diversified tourism product. Imagine international boxing events attracting fans from Europe, Africa and other continents, football tournaments bringing regional clubs to the island, or professional teams choosing Zanzibar for training camps.

Such activities could generate business opportunities for hotels, tour operators, transport providers, restaurants and small enterprises, while creating employment for local communities. However, attracting international events requires more than an impressive stadium.

It demands reliable infrastructure, professional management, adequate security, quality accommodation, efficient transport systems and the capacity to meet international sporting standards. This is where Zanzibar’s preparations must be comprehensive and forward-looking.

The government and relevant sporting authorities need to develop a clear plan for managing, maintaining and commercially utilising Fumba Stadium after AFCON 2027. A stadium represents a substantial financial investment and its sustainability depends on regular use, proper maintenance and effective management.

Leaving such a facility underutilised after a major tournament would undermine much of the economic and sporting value it is expected to generate. Equally important is ensuring that local athletes benefit directly from this investment. While international competitions will raise Zanzibar’s profile, the stadium should also provide opportunities for local football clubs, young players, coaches, referees and other sports professionals.

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Young people need access to quality sporting facilities where they can develop their abilities, compete and pursue professional careers. Fumba Stadium could support talent identification programmes, youth tournaments and partnerships between local sporting institutions and international organisations.

Such initiatives would help ensure that the investment contributes to developing home-grown talent rather than serving mainly as a venue for visiting teams and international events. The involvement of sporting personalities such as Coga in promoting the project also presents an opportunity to establish international partnerships and attract attention to Zanzibar’s growing sporting ambitions.

Sports ambassadors helps connect local sporting institutions with international networks, promote sporting events and encourage investment. However, such partnerships should translate into practical opportunities, including athlete exchanges, training programmes, coaching development and greater exposure to international competitions.

Ultimately, the ambition must go beyond constructing a stadium capable of hosting Africa’s biggest football tournament.

It must be about creating opportunities for local athletes, attracting international sporting events, stimulating tourism and building a sporting culture that future generations can benefit from. The challenge, therefore, is not simply to build a stadium ready for AFCON. It is to build a sporting future that will outlive AFCON.