Army General Assimi Goïta, President of the Transition, inaugurated the construction of the Mali Arena in Koulikoro.
The sports complex will cover an area of three hectares and will have a seating capacity of 10,000, expandable to 15,000. Construction is expected to take 36 months.
The project, described as meeting international standards, will include VIP rooms, changing rooms, conference rooms, restaurants, a physiotherapy room, and offices. It will feature 10 entrances, including a VIP door, and the seating will be arranged on two levels for better visibility.
The arena’s design incorporates cultural elements with a calabash-inspired shape. The Minister of Sports, Abdoul Kassim Fomba, stated that the facility would allow Mali to host international competitions and positively impact the local economy.
When we have infrastructure of this kind, the environment itself will change with a positive impact on the local economy. This is also the idea behind this construction project in addition to its sporting aspect, Fomba stated.
Mali-Arena is not limited to its sporting function: it is part of a broader vision of national reconstruction, supported by President Goïta. By celebrating sport as a vector of unity, discipline and hope, this project illustrates a long-term ambition: to position Mali as a major player in sport in Africa while strengthening its cultural identity, he added.
The project aligns with President Goïta’s vision to promote sports and culture in Mali, designating 2025 as the “Year of Culture.”
The development comes just weeks after Mali’s bid to host two African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments was rejected.
Mali had applied to host the U17 and U20 AFCON tournaments. However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) denied the bids. Instead, CAF awarded the hosting rights for the U17 AFCON 2025 to Morocco and the U20 AFCON 2025 to Côte d’Ivoire.
While this setback was a blow, it also catalysed accelerated investments in sports infrastructure. The Mali-Arena demonstrates the country’s determination to catch up and establish itself as a sports leader in Africa.
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