AFCON stadia upgrade need P10bn
Mqondisi Dube | Monday June 19, 2023 06:00
The country’s authorities submitted a 569-page bid book to CAF last month, which indicates a cost of $743 million is required for the refurbishment of existing and construction of new stadiums.
The overall budget for the tournament is contained in the bid book but is blurred on the electronic copy made available to Mmegi.
Through the bid, Botswana intends to build three new facilities, Motlhaba in Gabane, Letswai in Maun, and Tlatlana in Kasane between 2024 and 2026. According to the bid book, which is in three volumes, the sites for the facilities were thoroughly thought out.
Motlhaba and Letswai stadiums will have a seating capacity of 40,000, making them the biggest facilities in the country.
The Gabane stadium will be the most expensive, costing $220 million (approx. P3 billion) while Letswai has been budgeted for $195 million (approx. P2.6 billion).
Another new facility, the Tlatlana Stadium will cost around $92 million (approx. P1.2 billion). The existing three stadiums; National Stadium, Lobatse Sports Complex, and Obed Itani Chilume Stadium will undergo renovations. All stadiums will have covered stands, with stylish designs and improved seating.
The National Stadium upgrades will cost $75 million (approx. P1 billion), while $90 million (approx. P1.2 billion) has been budgeted for the Obed Itani Chilume. Renovations at the Lobatse Sports Complex are estimated at $71 million (approx. P960 million). Post the tournament, the country has to maintain the facilities, with all six facilities expected to cost $37 million (approx P500 million) per year. The operating expenditure for the Gabane stadium is estimated at $11 million (approx. P148 million) per year. According to the consultant, the figure includes “staff salaries, maintenance and other expenses.”
For the Maun facility, the operating costs are set at $9.7 million (approx. P130 million), while Tlatlana will require an annual figure of $4.6 million (approx. P62 million).
The operating costs for the National Stadium are set at $3.7 million (approx. P50 million), Lobatse Sports Stadium $3.5 million (approx. P47 million) and the Obed Itani Chilume will cost $4.5 million (approx. P60.5 million).
South African consultants, Ruben Reddy Architects compiled the bid book for P65 million. In the document, the government says the expected revenues will far exceed the expenditure. Nearly P20 billion is projected to flow into the economy as a result of the hosting, according to figures contained in the bid book.
Ticket sales are projected to net nearly P500 million on the assumption that attendance at matches is at 90%.
The theme for the tournament is ‘Achieving Prosperity One Goal at a Time’. “Our plans to develop state-of-the-art stadiums, exceptional hospitality and world-class facilities promise to deliver an unforgettable tournament. We are committed to ensuring a lasting positive impact on our country,” the government says in the bid book. The government has targeted 10 areas of development “that will benefit from the 2027 hosting.”
These include the use of the tournament as a catalyst for economic development, including the creation of jobs, particularly in the tourism and hospitality industries. The other aspect of development contained in the bid document relates to community development, with the government indicating local businesses will be up-skilled to benefit from the hosting.
Others include building national pride, promoting football development, promoting partnerships, fostering cross-border relationships, investing in infrastructure, promoting tourism, and using the tournament to promote social change.