Tz's $56 Million, 60,000 Stadium Finally Ready.

[subi]

Tanzania: Country's $56 Million, 60,000 Stadium Finally Ready

East African Business Week (Kampala)

23 July 2007
Posted to the web 23 July 2007

Dar Es Salaam

Back in 2000 former Tanzania President Benjamin Mkapa promised the Tanzanian people a state-of-the art stadium that would be a pride to the nation.

However, many doubting Thomases sprung up and spread the word that it was just another political pronunciation typical of modern African leaders.

Just last week, the 60,000 seater Benjamin Mkapa Olympic stadium (pictured) that cost a whopping $56m was handed over to the Tanzanian government by the Chinese Contractors Beijing Construction Engineering Company Ltd. The structure cost TSh56.4bn; Tanzania contributing TSh25bn and China Tsh29bn.

However, it's not yet time to pop the champagne as it won't host any international fixture until September when the Taifa Stars face Mozambique in a do-or-die 2008 Nations Cup cracker.

Initially, Spanish champions Real Madrid were to open the stadium after President Jakaya Kikwete visited Spain last September but a delay in completion disabled their travelling to Tanzania. The national stadium that has taken two years to construct is the most picturesque stadium in the region built using the best technology.

The contractors say that it can at least take 30 years before any kind of maintenance is administered. Even the Chinese premier Wen Jiabao was awed by the magnificent stadium when he visited Dar es Salaam last month.

Uganda's Nelson Mandela Stadium located about 7km east of Kampala has a capacity of 45,202 people. It was constructed with a Chinese grant of $36m.
n Kenya, Moi International Centre Kasarani also holds 60,000 people but in terms of features, the Mkapa Stadium ranks way up the ladder. The Stade Amahoro in Rwanda seats just 10,000 people.

The Mkapa stadium's features that any eye on this world wouldn't miss catching is the roof that extends inwards to cover seats up to the halfway line, 114 CCTV cameras, escalators that lead one to a lavish VIP lounge and a 600 car parking lot.

In order to keep the new stadium running as a profit-making entity, government is going to place it under custody of a private company.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200707231295.html

 

_________________
"Siasa si hasa, bali visa na mikasa"

[Mollel]

Impressive...and probably not overpriced. I only thought the parking capacity is way low......
It has a ratio of 100 people to one car (100-1).....even if public transportation is considered.

In contrast....Fedex field in washington has a ratio of 4-1 (seats to parking). I am not saying it should be even close .....just noting the huge gap in ratios.....

Located on a 200-acre site in Prince George’s County, Maryland, this 1,800,000 SF home of the NFL's Washington Redskins includes parking for over 20,000 cars and seating for 80,116 fans. Circulation is provided to the seating via ramps in each of the four quadrants of the stadium, with escalators provided for club seating patrons, and elevator service for suite patrons. General seating and public spaces were designed to be functional and affordable for patrons, while club-level seating and luxury suites add increased revenue generating capacity.

http://www.clarkconstruction.com/Portfolio/ViewProject.asp?ProjectID=147

[ajmushi]

Quite impressive,
My only concern is the plan of action on the up keeping of the stadium. Sure enough it is the state of the art arena however failure to perform regular up-keeping maintenance could spell out a big failure as well. We are best known for patch fixes when it comes up to maintenance and that will absolutely not work on this quality of stadium. I am hoping there is a feasible plan and supporting funds to maintain the standards during the tenure of usage.

 

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AjM

[Jonny]

Very impressive indeed as far as the description goes, does anyone have any images/ pictures.?

I agree Mollel, while the description is that of an impressive piece of property I too think parking for only 600 cars is disproportionate with the 60,000 seats provided.

By the way how did Mkapa get to have his name attributed to the Stadium?

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Opportunities are never lost, someone will take the ones you miss.

[Mariam]

This is great! Chin-up Tanzanians!

AjMushi, naona they have mentioned on the article that "In order to keep the new stadium running as a profit-making entity, government is going to place it under custody of a private company". I agree with you on the maintenance, I hope the management will not worry about the profit alone but also the condition of the stadium.

Mollel don't worry about parking, they are not as scarce as in the USA and remember over there there's no occupancy limit or all those other stuff so the ration of 1:100 not quiet comparable , six people could ride in a sedan! Unlike US where it's normal for one person to ride alone to see a game...

[subi]

My dears, ajmushi, Mariam ana Johnny,

Have we forgotten our Tanzanian way of life and culture and the routine of our daily lives?

"We upange hela za kuziba ufa na matengenezo ya kitu kipya una wazimu ama ni mpango wako wa kula fedha tu?"

Expect that to be a typical and serious reply, not from a lay person but rather, from a person entrusted with authority to make decisions for the country.

We lack that culture of planning 2-3 steps ahead in a lot of things except in marriage ceremonies and such (where we always have kamati ndogo ya kuvunja kamati kuu ya sherehe even before we are certain whether the sherehe is going to be there or not).

Take a good example of our roads, what was wrong with the planners and decision makers to put down ways and periods that those newly constructed roads should be cleaned (with speacial cleaning and not maji na sabuni as they did when former US president, Bill Clinton came to Arusha). Why did they not seek consultation for early maintenance and preserve cracks on the roads?

Until when we admit that we *may* have peopole with vision but we lack knowledge and master in planning the first priorities come first, we are doomed to failure - always!

If you do not plan you are automatically planning to fail!

Wasalaam,

 

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"Siasa si hasa, bali visa na mikasa"

[tyk]

I agree it's an impressive ground.... I confer with concerns about the capacity to hold cars.... That's a smaller problem though compared to the challenge of actually getting those cars to the stadium, and after the big match getting those cars away from the place.... Absolutely nothing has been planned for that. I think the stadium might be a little too big. Ideally two stadiums of half the size would have worked much bettter for Dar (I imagine that would have had quite different planning, cost and execution implications though). That way Dar could even host a major continental level tournament with two impressive stadiums. Even better one of the stadiums could have been built in another city. But that is day dreaming for now.
Coming back to the functioning of the new stadium, I am worried it might become one other underutilized resource... The current National Stadium has capacity of less than 20,000 people... When there is a big match people start to arrive upto 6 hours before the event so as to avoid all kind of inconveniences like traffic jams, poor public transport system and poor methods of selling the tickets... So hopefully some of these issues will be addressed. I can only imagine the nightmare of handling 60,000 people at the same time under the current settings.

[ajmushi]

Subi,
Interesting summation about our mindsets and NO, I have not forgotten the Tanzanian way and that is the very reason that I have brought up the issue of maintenance from past track records.

One thing I don't agree with you is the acceptance of NOT being able to plan just because we have failed to follow that culture in the past. Believe me the failure is mostly attributed with other factors such as "umaskini", "ufujaji wa mali" and lack of accountability. However, that can all be changed but it has to start somewhere. We have a very educated workforce capable of adopting best practices that have been applied to other projects of such magnitude. Private sponsorship is one of the commonly used practices in the developed countries and I can see atleast someone is thinking on the right path. The main thing now is to have a strong management team who will be held accountable in producing a visible plan that will ensure the operations of the facility on defined standards. Subi....we can wipe off the failure tag on our foreheads only if we embrace priorities that lead to success.


Jonny…...I was looking for the pictures myself but all I found was a quick glimpse

http://www.pbase.com/bmcmorrow/image/63370198



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/football/africa/6905112.stm

 

_________________
AjM

[Mollel]

Good thinking tyk, "Ideally two stadiums of half the size would have worked much bettter "
Shifting topics....the cost of two halfs would have been much larger than 1 (defying mathematics!, 0.5 + 0.5 = >1 ).
But truly.....i dont think it will ever be fully utilized. I believe it is actually a full sports center.....like Kasarani, but more! which means it would include Olympic size pool, areas for all sorts of track and field, and the like. Running it as a private company might be the first step towards failure as we discuss it here.
Viingilio, assumably, would still be in the Tshs. 1000-5000 range to be close to affordable (well, what %% of population can pay more than that???). So lets take the mid-ground number here......Tshs 2500*40000 =100M Tshs/ per game (or US$78K/per game). Keep in mind now, the teams keep a good portion of this entrance, FAT takes its chunck...and some remaining residue value goes to the stadium. Assumably, (no data whatsoever, so dont stone me), maybe 20% will go to stadium, or Tshs. 20Mil / game.
This is highly optimistic figure, assuming that the stadium will always be filled to twice the current capacity! at a rate that is almost 10% of monthly income for most earners.
Given that....how many games can we fill, how long are the leagues?
There is NO way to run this thing profitably......and yet have reserve funds for maintenance.

[Mariam]

This is mind stealing and provocative discussion ...

also lest we not forget retail shops, offices and other money making schemes they could run in this stadium...so let's not calculate earnings from games alone...

[Mollel]

In Dar....commercial space (even in city center) is command average of $18/sq mtr i believe. Let alone an isolated stadium area....where you MIGHT only sell on game days. That contribution will be negligible in my opinion......
We dont have a culture of going to live at the stadiums on game days, and buy drinks at 300% over regular value. Besides, soccer, the primary game that would be played there.....literally lasts a maximum of 2hrs! 90mins of playtime.
Football in the US...what, 60mins played in 4hrs?

It would make much more sense if the stadiums were owned by commercial teams. Its easier to commercialize and monopolize and add value. That way, one could even generate revenue on training days, like the redskins do......

[Mariam]

I agree with you Mollel...no stones please, this is just an hypothetical thinking since I haven't been where the new stadium is built, not to mention my limited "geography" about Dar's map:-)...however, from the first link AjMush sent, the stadium doesn't seem to be located in an isolated area. My view was based on the fact that, most stadiums have shops on the same premise, for example Verizon Center in DC, or better yet, we can hit close to home, Sheikh Aboud Jumbe stadium in Arusha, maduka yamejengwa kwenye jengo hilo hilo la uwanja facing out which means they can still be operated in a daily basis whether there's a game or not...

so given the fact that we lack office spaces and spaces for other businesses, the size of this new stadium, and your calculations i.e. "In Dar....commercial space (even in city center) is command average of $18/sq mtr I believe", can you imagine how much more they could raise in their disposal by renting these spaces out? of course if the building is planned with those features...not to mention hosting Concerts and things like that, you will be surprised in TZ these days people are paying up to TShs. 30,000 for a music concert!! You many not get 40,000 people but you can make good money than if the stadium was closed....Anyways, if the stadium will not generate sufficient funds I still think there should be a responsible management team with strategice plans in place to oversee operations, country's money has been put down there so it's our National Treasure! If you use it take care of it!!


I can't find more pictures but I stumbled accross this old news which reminded that local people and businesses will also benefit from the stadium even in those few times they will have major games playing....

http://www.dailynews-tsn.com/page.php?id=6009

New stadium impresses FIFA
NASONGELYA KILYINGA
Sunday News; Sunday,March 11, 2007 @00:03

ENVOYS from FIFA, who have been in the country to inspect stadiums and hotels ahead of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, have been impressed by the new ultramodern stadium which is about to be completed in Dar es Salaam.

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Secretary General, Fredrick Mwakalebela, said in Dar es Salaam yesterday that Gerhard Kapl and Souleymane Magassouba said they were sure the stadium, after completion, will be cleared to host FIFA organised matches.

Mwakalebela said the officials would make final inspection of the venue in May this year before hosting the national soccer team Taifa Stars and Senegal second round match in June.

"Though the construction work is yet to be concluded, the officials have been impressed by the facilities and security features of the venue," he said. Mwakalebela mentioned the areas, which overwhelmed the FIFA officials as the fire equipment, the exit points that comprise of 30 emergency exit doors as well as four main gates.

The Olympic standard 60,000-seater stadium has already taken shape, with almost 90 per cent of the construction work done. The stadium construction is undertaken by the Chinese Company, Beijing Construction Engineering Group (BCEG). It is expected to be handed over to the government next month.

He said the officials would send their assessment report to FIFA for further recommendations. The officials also accessed various hotels and hospital facilities in Dar es Salaam, which he said are likely to be used to host teams.

Some of the hotels visited include Kilimanjaro Hotel Kempiski, Movenpick, Holiday Inn, Golden Tulip and Sea Cliff, while hospitals included Muhimbili National Hospital and Agha Khan Hospital.

Earlier on, the Fifa officials held seminars in relation to safety and security in the sports venues, which was attended by the TFF top officials including vice-presidents Crecentious Magori and Jamal Bayser, National Stadium Manager Charles Massanja, Deputy Director of Sports in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Sports, Charles Matoke. Other participants were from police and Red Cross.

In another development, Mwakalebela said that the Secretary General of Mtwara Region Football Federation, Ray Chacha, passed away at the Mwananyamala Hospital in Dar es Salaam on Friday.

He said the body of the deceased would be transported to Musoma, Mara Region for burial tomorrow.

[Mkakati]

All the concerns mentioned about the stadium are valid and I hope the poeple involved with this stadium think about the concerns mentioned here.
Also we should look at this issue as a glass that is half full and not half empty as some poeple are doing. I think the stadium is a wonderful beginning towards promoting sports in Tanzania.

 

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"A brain is a terrible thing to waste."

[subi]

Tz's National Stadium



NEW (Sept 1, 2007):

 

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"Siasa si hasa, bali visa na mikasa"

[Mollel]

Shirikisho bado "wahesabu" mapato Stars na Mamba wa Msumbiji
Kigugumizi cha mapato tena

Na Mwandishi Wetu


SHIRIKISHO la Soka (TFF) jana lilishikwa na kigugumizi kingine cha kutangaza mapato ya mechi ya Mataifa ya Afrika baina ya Tanzania na Msumbiji, likidai kuwa bado halina mahesabu kamili.


TFF, ambayo ilishatoa taarifa kuwa haihusiki na viingilio wala mapato ya mechi mbili za hivi karibuni za timu hiyo ya taifa, Taifa Stars, likieleza kuwa mambo hayo yanashughulikiwa na kamati iliyoundwa na Wizara ya Habari, Utamaduni na Michezo, imekuwa ikihusika katika kutoa taarifa hizo kupitia kwa afisa habari wake, Florian Kaijage.


"Siwezi kuzungumzia lolote kuhusu mapato," alisema Kaijage. "Kwa sasa nina mambo mengine ya kufanya mjini labda hadi kesho."


TFF ilisubiri hadi baada ya siku tatu kupita ndipo ilipotangaza mapato ya mechi ya kirafiki baina ya Stars na Uganda, na tatizo hilo linaonekana kujirudia.


Mechi hiyo ilivuta mashabiki wengi kiasi kwamba tiketi zote ziliisha siku moja kabla ya mechi baada ya kununuliwa na walanguzi, ambao waliziuza kwa bei ya juu zaidi.


Uwanja huo una uwezo wa kuchukua watu 60,000, lakini ulijaa na baadhi ya mashabiki kulazimika kusimama.


Kwa kuuza tiketi zote, mechi hiyo ilitakiwa kuingiza jumla ya Sh 413,344,000, kutokana na mauzo ya tiketi 19,590 za Sh 3,000 (juma Sh 58,500,000), tiketi 7,300 za Sh 10,000 kwa eneo la nyuma ya goli (Sh 7,300,000), tiketi 18,364,000 za Sh 10,000 mzunguko (sh 18,364,000).


Pia tiketi 6,460 za Sh 20,000 kwa eneo la rangi ya machungwa (Sh 129,200,000), tiketi 2,406 za Sh 30,000 VIP (Sh 72,180,000), tiketi 2,260 za Sh 40,000 VIP (Sh 90,400,000) na tiketi 748 za Sh 50,000 za VIP (Sh 37,000,000).


Mahesabu hayo ni bila ya kujumuisha tiketi chache zilizotolewa kwa watu maalum, wakiwemo waandishi wa habari.