Government to sign agreement for Dodoma Stadium construction

DODOMA: THE government is set to sign a construction agreement today for a new 32,000-seat sports stadium in the capital city of Dodoma.

Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Palamagamba Kabudi, announced the development in Parliament yesterday when contributing to the year 2024 report presented by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Culture and Sports.

The selected contractor for the project would begin job soon, according to the minister who emphasised that the stadium will play a vital role in advancing sports development in the country by providing a modern venue for both national and international matches.

He also noted that the facility would significantly contribute to sports tourism, job creation and local economic growth.

“The construction of this stadium is part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance sports infrastructure across Tanzania. It will help nurture young talent and boost the country’s position on the global sports stage,” said Kabudi.

He further unveiled that investing in modern sports facilities not only improves athletic performance but also drives economic growth.

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“By developing world-class infrastructure, Tanzania will attract international competitions, increase national pride and generate revenue for local businesses,” he added.

In a related development, the government has been urged to complete the renovation of Benjamin Mkapa Stadium by April 2025.

The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Culture, Arts and Sports, Husna Sekiboko, called for the timely completion of the renovation during the presentation of the committee’s report.

“The government must ensure the renovation is finished by April 2025. A special management body should be established to oversee the maintenance of Benjamin Mkapa and other government-owned stadiums, ensuring they meet international standards,” Sekiboko stated.

The committee also recommended that a portion of the revenue from stadium operations be reserved for maintenance, enabling quick repairs when needed.

Sekiboko urged the development of a strategy to upgrade other sports facilities to ease the pressure on Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

The Benjamin Mkapa Stadium renovation, estimated to cost 31.32 billion Tanzanian shillings, has stalled, according to Sekiboko.

The project was initially expected to be completed by August 2024.