South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The government is set to open the newly refurbished national football stadium with seat capacity of 7000 fans.
The ministry of youth and sports announced on Monday that the inauguration ceremony of the national stadium will take place on June 11, 2024.
Joseph Geng Akech, the national minister for youth and sports said the inauguration will be graced by President Salva Kiir together with Gianni Infantino, the President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
“This is a historic day for the country and for the sport in general, we will also be receiving FIFA President who is a friend of football and sports in South Sudan to inaugurate this very important stadium, and also South Sudan will play with Sudan for the World Cup qualifiers,” said Akech.
The old Dar Raida stadium was initially envisioned to be renovated in 2019, but it was quickly realized that the plan was unattainable. A new stadium had to be constructed in its place.
However, the construction faced challenges, among which was a lack of financing. Luckily, the construction is financed by the FIFA Forward program, which is a fund reserved for member states for the development of football.
Augustino Maduot, the President of South Sudan Football Association, said the 7000-seat stadium is set to begin by accommodating 5000 people in its first international match in Juba.
He disclosed that they will only allow in a maximum of 5000 fans for the World Cup qualifier match between Sudan and South Sudan.
Deborah Akech, the undersecretary in the ministry of youth and sports asked members of the general public to attend the inauguration.
“We have done all preparations that are needed and we are asking the public to converge in Juba national stadium to join our President, the President of FIFA and members of CECAFA,” said Akech.