Club administrations are seeking to rehabilitate their stadiums, but an official at Al Hilal Club confirmed that the cost of rehabilitating Al Hilal Stadium is estimated at about 10 million dollars, which is an amount that is difficult to save in light of the economic crisis.
Recent pictures of Al-Merreikh Stadium in Omdurman showed significant deterioration, as the floor was devoid of grass, and some seats were damaged.
Member of the Board of Directors of Al-Merreikh Club, Samer Al-Amrabi, spoke about the rehabilitation of the club’s stadium in Omdurman, saying: “Now we are in the stage of (Master Plan) for the stadium and surveying, after which a decision will be taken about the stages of rehabilitation to be in conformity with the specifications approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), because the goal is for the team to play its matches in its stadium.”
Al-Amrabi added to Sky News Arabia: “This matter may require major modifications to the facilities attached to the stadium, and some of them may be subject to removal in order to expand and create a parking lot.”
Despite government institutions recently announcing a return to Khartoum, the three capital cities are still suffering from a shortage of electricity, transportation, and security, which hinders the resumption of sports activity, according to journalist analyst Yasser Qassem.
Clubs also face difficulties in playing outside the capital due to poor stadium surfaces, which increases the possibility of player injury.
Counselor Kamal Al-Amin pointed to a legal obstacle that prevents the holding of international matches in areas classified as “war zones,” which prevents Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh from hosting foreign matches.
In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Qasim added that the clubs depend on professional players who need a stable environment, which is not currently available in Khartoum, noting that most of the teams’ participation is concentrated externally, and there is no competing club that agrees to play in Sudan at the present time.
Qassem concluded by emphasizing that the return of the public to the stadiums depends on the return of security and normal life, adding that any promotion other than that “is considered arrogance and falsification of reality.”
“>
An official in the Sudanese Football Association told Sky News Arabia that the ongoing work in Khartoum, Al Hilal and Al Merreikh stadiums is currently limited to cleaning and sanitation of the environment, in preparation for comprehensive rehabilitation operations, adding that “these stadiums no longer conform to international specifications and cannot host external matches.”
He explained that the only stadium currently qualified to host international matches is the Sports City Stadium in Karima, after making the necessary modifications.
Since the outbreak of the war, the Premier League competitions, in which 16 clubs were participating, including Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh, have stopped in Khartoum.
Club administrations are seeking to rehabilitate their stadiums, but an official at Al Hilal Club confirmed that the cost of rehabilitating Al Hilal Stadium is estimated at about 10 million dollars, which is an amount that is difficult to save in light of the economic crisis.
Recent pictures of Al-Merreikh Stadium in Omdurman showed significant deterioration, as the floor was devoid of grass, and some seats were damaged.
Member of the Board of Directors of Al-Merreikh Club, Samer Al-Amrabi, spoke about the rehabilitation of the club’s stadium in Omdurman, saying: “Now we are in the stage of (Master Plan) for the stadium and surveying, after which a decision will be taken about the stages of rehabilitation to be in conformity with the specifications approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), because the goal is for the team to play its matches in its stadium.”
Al-Amrabi added to Sky News Arabia: “This matter may require major modifications to the facilities attached to the stadium, and some of them may be subject to removal in order to expand and create a parking lot.”
Despite government institutions recently announcing a return to Khartoum, the three capital cities are still suffering from a shortage of electricity, transportation, and security, which hinders the resumption of sports activity, according to journalist analyst Yasser Qassem.
Clubs also face difficulties in playing outside the capital due to poor stadium surfaces, which increases the possibility of player injury.
Counselor Kamal Al-Amin pointed to a legal obstacle that prevents the holding of international matches in areas classified as “war zones,” which prevents Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh from hosting foreign matches.
In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Qasim added that the clubs depend on professional players who need a stable environment, which is not currently available in Khartoum, noting that most of the teams’ participation is concentrated externally, and there is no competing club that agrees to play in Sudan at the present time.
Qassem concluded by emphasizing that the return of the public to the stadiums depends on the return of security and normal life, adding that any promotion other than that “is considered arrogance and falsification of reality.”
