Ethiopia plans to construct five stadia in Addis Ababa to add to the two existing ones – Yidnekachew Tessema and Abebe Bikila stadia,
without any feasibility study.
Of the five, four are zonal stadia and will be constructed in the districts of Yeka, Nifas Silk Lafto, Bole and Gullele. The zonal stadia will cover 40,000 m2, 70,000 m2 and 110,000 m2 respectively, each with a capacity of 30,000. The land for Gullele is not yet secured.
Despite the effort being taken by the Addis Ababa City Youth & Sport Bureau, research by the Ministry of Urban Development & Housing, indicates that a standard zonal stadium should sit on 113,080 m2, with additional space required for parking and other purposes.
The Bureau’s top priority since its establishment in 2015 following the restructuring of the new Ministry of Sports & Youth, has been securing the land. The new office has identified and agreed on the location of plots in the Bole, Yeka and Gullele districts in its six month lifespan.
Sources close to the case, however, have attributed the delay to budget shortages and lack of feasibility studies undertaken before design work proceeds.
The fifth project, Akaki-Kality Stadium designed by Yohannes Abay consultancy has a carrying capacity of 60,000. This will become the biggest in the City upon completion.
The construction of Akaki stadium has been dragging since 2013. Teklebirhan Ambaye Construction (TACON) won the tender for the project in 2013 at a cost of 1.3 billion Br but construction stalled before any significant work had been done.
