ACTUALITE |
11.09.2001
Mali: we`ll be ready for African Nations Cup
BAMAKO,
They are supposed to be stadiums, hotels and roads, but they still look more like building sites.
However, the organizers of next year`s African Nations Cup in Mali insist the country will be ready in time for the event`s big kick-off on January 19.
"The infrastructure is near to completion," said Daouda Ndiaye, spokesman for COCAN, the organising committee of the tournament which takes place from January 19 to February 10, 2002.
The African Nations Cup is no stranger to upheaval when host nations fall short of expectations.
The 2000 finals were removed from Zimbabwe to Nigeria and Ghana, Kenya lost the 1996 finals to South Africa as a result of the inability of the Arap Moi government to provide financial guarantees while Malawi lost the 1984 finals to the Ivory Coast.
The 1988 finals were moved from Zambia to Morocco
In Mali, the five host cities of Bamako, Kayes, Mopti, Segou and Sikasso are undergoing dramatic changes with hotels and stadiums being built to cope with the 16-nation competition.
The March 26th Stadium, in the capital Bamako, is being built with a capacity of 50,000 which will stage the opening match between Mali and Liberia in Group A as well as the final.
According to a report released by COCAN, it is 98 percent ready, but the situation at the other four sites is less clear.
Each of the regional grounds will accommodate 15,000 fans, but the construction work is less-advanced on those projects, say the organisers - between 80 and 84 percent.
Work on Bamako`s second stadium, Modibo Keita, is behind schedule.
"Work there will finish in November 2001," said the official.
Progress is also slow on the Nations Cup villages being built in each city.
Officials say that work at Kayes is only 70 percent complete, it is 75 percent for Mopti, 71 percent in Segou and 78 percent in Sikasso.
However, in the capital, the completion rate was judged to be 55 percent.
Meanwhile, to ease the transport problems in the country, over 400 licenses have been granted to allow for the import of cars and buses during the event.
"Mali 2002 is a reality," said Issa Hayatou, the president of CAF, the continent`s governing body for football.
"There is no more room for skepticism."
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