FIFA optimistic Juba Football Stadium will promote sport in South Sudan

By Tapeng Michael Ohure

The delegation from the Federation for International Football Association (FIFA) is in South Sudan’s capital to assess progress of work at Juba National Football Stadium.

FIFA is investing 6$ million to reconstruct South Sudan’s football stadium to an internationally accepted standard. The upgrade includes expanding the facility from a 2,000 to a 7,500 seat capacity.

Speaking to journalists during the visit to the National stadium, Arijana Demirovic FIFA  Head of Women’s Football Development said, the federation is working to launch a women’s football pilot project in South Sudan.

“We are here this week visiting South Sudan Football Association for a Women’s football upcoming program that we intend to launch here as a pilot project.  As part of this visit, we are also checking on the stadium and we will be at South Sudan’s Football Association headquarters to understand the progress of the construction of the national stadium.” Said Demirovic

She added that FIFA is looking forward to seeing reconstruction of Juba International Stadium completed in order to allow both the men and women national teams to compete and have a home ground.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino pledged to fund the renovation during a visit to the conflict-torn country in 2016 and he is expected to attend its inauguration. South Sudan has been playing its home games in neighboring Sudan and Kenya.

Nyakoang Gai, the Head of Women’s Football in South Sudan said, South Sudan’s Football Association is committed to developing women’s football

 “We welcome the FIFA  pilot project, it will help in the development of women football in South Sudan.” Said Nyakoang.

South Sudan’s Football Association says the reconstruction of Juba Stadium is expected to be completed next year.