Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The long-awaited rehabilitation of Sierra Leone’s Siaka Stevens National Stadium has been delayed once more, with the National Sports Authority (NSA) confirming the project will not be completed until late 2026 or early 2027.
The announcement is a further setback for fans and sporting bodies already coping with more than three years of disruption at the country’s premier multi-sport venue.
Eric Batilo Fomba, Director of Media and Communications at the NSA, told Truth Sports that the China Aid–funded project, first announced in February 2022 and originally scheduled to take two years, has experienced repeated setbacks. “Sierra Leoneans might not be happy, they might not be feeling good, but what I am saying is the fact. The main bowl of the National Stadium will not be ready until the end of 2026 to early 2027,” Fomba said.
The rehabilitation was intended to restore the stadium to full capacity for football, athletics, boxing, swimming, and other major events. A partial handover scheduled for October 2025 did not materialize, and a mid-2026 completion target has been dismissed as unrealistic.
During a recent meeting with the Chinese construction team and senior government officials, including Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh and Sports Minister Augusta James-Teima, it was agreed that some sections of the facility would be handed over this December. NSA officials confirmed, however, that the main bowl will not be ready until late 2026 to early 2027.
NSA officials attributed the delays to seasonal, logistical, and technical factors. Work was suspended during the rainy season and only resumed in October. The majority of construction materials are shipped from China, with documentation and customs clearance causing further delays. Technical issues identified during an inter-MDA Gala at the stadium’s practice field are also being corrected before any handover.
The prolonged closure has forced national teams, event organizers, and athletes to find alternative venues. Leone Stars home fixtures are currently held in Liberia, while the annual Boxing Day competition has been relocated to Bo. Swimming practices and competitions are taking place at other facilities. “Fans feel deprived of watching and supporting their darling Leone Stars,” one supporter said, reflecting widespread disappointment.
NSA officials have confirmed that Sierra Leone will be unable to host any of its 2026 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at home due to the delays. The authority says it will continue monitoring progress and hold public discussions about the management of the completed facility.
Until then, athletes, federations, and fans will continue to adapt to a sporting calendar without the nation’s most iconic venue, while the government and Chinese construction team work to resolve the logistical and technical challenges prolonging the project.
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