The Molyko omni-sports stadium (Buea) will January next year have a grass pitch, the Stadium Director, Beseka Awoh, has stated.
Awoh disclosed the information Saturday, September 13, in a chat with The Post.
He said a technical team from the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education had just rounded up feasibility studies for the project. According to him, work will begin as soon as the Minister approves the budget proposed by the technical team.
The information comes barely weeks after the construction of a 1000-capacity modern grandstand in place of an old one destroyed by a strong wind in 2007. According to the 2008 report of the public investment budget, the new edifice cost FCFA 113 million and falls within government’s efforts to meet up with the standards set by the world football governing body, FIFA.
Molyko Stadium Not Banned
Contrary to rumours that the stadium had been banned by FIFA due to its sandy nature, Awoh reassured soccer fans that the Molyko stadium is not banned. Going by Awoh, unlike some pitches in the country that FIFA banned, the Molyko Stadium meets FIFA’s basic requirements.
About the rusty goal posts and the pot holes on the pitch, he said they will be repaired before September 27, the kick-off date of the 2008/2009 MTN Elite 1.In a telephone interview with FECAFOOT authorities, The Post learnt that most of the banned stadia were not only sealed because the pitches were of sand, but because they lacked either barrieres separating players from spectators, dressing rooms, toilets or grand stands.
It is therefore against this backdrop that most playgrounds in the West Province have been banned. Thus, Elite 1 clubs in the West Province have been advised to play their home games at the Bafoussam Municipal Stadium.
By Benedict Ndinwa, The Post
