Africa-Press – Tanzania. IN what seems to be a reaction that has been motivated after its club’s chief executive officer (CEO) , Barbara Gonzalez being barred from entering Mkapa Stadium to watch a derby duel that resulted to a goalless draw against rivals Young Africans, Simba yesterday okayed a move by its members to construct its own stadium.
The move was on Monday cemented by the club’s shareholder, Mohammed Dewji, who had pledged to donate 2Bn/- through his own and club’s social media pages.
Simba, one of the giant clubs in the country, have had such dreams of building its own modern stadium in Bunju on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, but despite having a modern pitch, the stadium has not been well structured.
The oldest clubs in the country, Simba and Yanga, despite being established over 70 years ago, do not have modern stadiums though they have had such dreams.
The current motive by Simba, is however, aimed at seeing that the proposed 30,000-seater stadium that is located about 30 kilometres from Dar es Salaam is now implemented.
Gonzalez was on Sunday reported to have been barred from entering the stadium as the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), in what seemed to be a clarification over the matter, claimed that she was forced to have a seating at a VIP area alongside with her members of the family who were not entitled to be there.
Dewji , as it was the case for Gonzalez, also expressed his disappointment over the decision to bar the female CEO, adding that he supports those who have shown interest to have the club’s own stadium construction initiatives and that he supports the move.
Some years ago, Simba had repeatedly said to have contracted a Turkish -based company to construct the stadium but the move had since then remained dormant.
Sources within the club had it that, once completed, the stadium will prove to be a reliable source of income based on attractive turnovers that will be accrued from different business projects that will be established around the premises.
“The stadium’s construction might seem very expensive but, once the project is completed, it will change the fans’ negative perceptions and they will, instead, be supportive of the initiative,” several sources of the club were earlier quoted as saying.
The current motive , according to the club, will be open for those willing to help among other club members and well-wishers.
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