China constructs six soccer stadiums in Mali for 2002 Africa Cup of Nations (linked to #58662)

Ahead of the 2002 African Cup of Nations (AFCON or CAN) in Mali, China assisted in the construction and renovation of six soccer stadiums in Bamako, Mopti, Sikasso, Ségou, and Kayes. Two stadiums were built in Bamako: the Stade du 26 Mars, built in 2001 (55,000 seats; see Project #58662), and the Modibo-Keïta sports stadium, originally built in 1967 but renovated in 2002 (35,000 seats). The remaining are the Baréma Bocoum Stadium in Mopti constructed in January 2001 (12-15,000 seats), the Babemba Traoré Stadium in Sikasso constructed in January 2002 (15,000 seats), the Amary Daou Stadium in Ségou constructed in January 2002, and the Abdoulaye Makoro Cissoko Stadium in Kayes opened in 2001 (15,000 seats). A World Bank employee suggested in an interview the stadiums were financed by a soft loan, with repayments being made on an irregular or slowed schedule

Additional details

The exact date of the initial financial commitment for each stadium is unknown, but the loan for the Stade du 26 Mars was agreed to in 2000, so it is assumed the other stadium projects followed a similar timeline.

Number of official sources

1

Number of total sources

5