ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR is set to build a state of-the-art stadium as part of Tanzania preparations to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals together with neighbouring East African nations.
Zanzibar’s President, Hussein Mwinyi, unveiled the plans for the new sports venue as he ceremoniously laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new venue, Maisara Sports Complex in Unguja.
This ambitious project aims to enhance the island’s sporting infrastructure and create a world-class venue capable of accommodating thousands of fans from across the continent.
The new stadium will not only serve as a hub for international football events but also contribute to the region’s economic growth and tourism potential, highlighting Zanzibar’s commitment to elevating its profile on the global sports stage.
“We are genuinely committed to building a modern stadium for AFCON that will be comparable to Manchester United’s Old Trafford in England,” he said.
Old Trafford is a football stadium in Manchester, England, and is the home of Manchester United. With a capacity of 74,310, it is the largest club football stadium in the United Kingdom, and the twelfthlargest in Europe.
Further, Mwinyi unveiled that the government plans to carry out major renovations at Gombani Stadium in Pemba and Mao Tse Tung Stadium in Unguja.
Another initiative includes constructing an international standard beach soccer field and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
He expressed concern about the poor conditions of existing fields, which were often dusty and muddy and used by youth for various sports, including football. He stated that this must change and the government is prepared to build new venues that will offer children and youth a place to showcase their talents.
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Regarding the new Maisara Sports Complex, he thanked the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture, and Sports for properly overseeing the construction, which will significantly strengthen the country’s sports sector.
In her speech, the Minister of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Tabia Maulid Mwita, confirmed that the ministry will continue to implement the directions and guidance of President Mwinyi by completing all the projects under the ministry’s oversight on time and with success.
Minister Tabia also assured President Mwinyi that all newly constructed sports fields would be properly maintained and protected to ensure their longevity.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Fatma Hamad Mbarouk, provided a technical report, stating that the construction of the new Maisara Sports Complex began in September 2024 and is expected to be completed by March 2025.
The project is currently 60 per cent complete and the contractor is progressing at a satisfactory pace.
She added that the Maisara Sports Complex is part of a larger initiative to build 17 new sports fields in Unguja and Pemba, all meeting CAF and FIFA standards.
