Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, says contractors working on the renovation of the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi have told him work on the facility will be completed by July 2021.
On February 17, 2020, the National Sports Authority (NSA) announced the immediate closure of the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for renovation works ahead of the 63rd national Independence Day celebrations the following month.
However, a year on, renovation has not yet been completed and Asante Kotoko and King Faisal, who play their Ghana Premier League home matches at the venue, have been forced to find alternative grounds.
Asante Kotoko now plays at the Obuasi Len Clay having played at the Accra Sports Stadium during the first round, while their cross-town rivals, King Faisal plays home matches in Techiman.
Speaking on Face To Face on Citi TV, the Member of Parliament for the Yagaba-Kubori Constituency said even though the contractor had assured him work would be completed by July this year, he would only be able to verify the timelines by visiting the facility himself.
“Work is still ongoing at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. The facility was closed down for renovation to happen and per the information I have, the contractor is still working and when last I checked from him when the place will be ready for use by King Faisal, Asante Kotoko in the Ghana Premier League, I was told that it will be ready soon enough.
“I cannot however confirm that will happen until I visit the place myself and see what is going on there to ensure that these clubs return to their natural home turfs. I cannot put my neck on the line for the contractors because they can disappoint you sometimes.
“But what I can ensure is that I have started engagement with the key stakeholders, that is the GFA, GHALCA, and NSA to have an understanding of what is actually going on.
“I will soon start a tour to see for myself what things look like so the July timeline set for completion will be achieved.”
