Narrative
Full Description
Project narrative
On October 29, 2021, the Embassy of China in Benin and the City Government of Benin co-hosted a handover ceremony for the final completion of the Soweto China-Benin Sports and Fitness Park Project in Cotonou, Benin. Previously, on September 9, 2020, a ceremony was held to commemorate the end of the first phase of the project. The project was the subject of a February 21, 2020 donation agreement between the two parties. The total cost of the project was estimated to be around 138,000,000 West African CFA Francs. Phase I cost 113 million, while Phase II came in at 25 million. All funds were jointly donated by the Embassy and Association of Chinese Enterprises in Benin, and construction was also completed by the Association of Chinese Enterprises in Benin. The complex consists of over 5,300 square meters of recreational and fitness space. This includes a function building, a play area, half a basketball court, a football field, a basketball court, a weight training area, and 10 solar-powered streetlights. Additionally, there is a 302.17 square meter concrete platform for children's games, a 100.2 square meter main entrance, 664.12 square meters of parking lot space, and a 668.65 square meter plot of land between the football and basketball areas.
Staff comments
The facility is believed to be named after the Beninese boxer Aristide Sagbo, nicknamed Soweto, who was an African champion and native of Cotonou