PRINCE ERNEST Oduro-Mensah, chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Sports Council (NSC) has expressed optimism that the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, in Kumasi, would be ready for international use in September 2007, reports Isaac Franklin.

Mr. Oduro-Mensah, a former Member of Parliament (MP) for Techiman South Constituency, in Brong-Ahafo, was impressed with the progress of work at the Kumasi Stadium, when he paid a working visit to the premises, last week. He commended Consar Contractors, who have been contracted to renovate the Stadium for their outstanding output, so far.

According to the former MP, his outfit would continue to monitor the work at the Stadium, so as to ensure that it met CAF standards, for the CAN 2008 tournament.

Aside facilities being developed at the Stadium, Consar Contractors are setting in place enough car parking spaces, which would accommodate many vehicles as possible.

Offices for the Police, Fire Service, Medical officers, Red Cross and Saint Anthony Ambulance Brigade, among others, would also be made available for emergencies.

Various stores at the Stadium premises are in the interim, being rehabilitated at the ground floor into standard ones, while adequate public places of convenience for fans would be set up.

Workers of Consar firm are currently erecting new toll booths, alongside two new flood lights, in addition to the two existing ones.

What is more, the contractors would provide international standard tartan tracks, to pave way for international and local athletics competitions, not forgetting a dependable stand-by generator, should there be any power outage. The old VIP block which consisted of dressing rooms, press and commentary boxes, offices for NSC staff, a conference room, would be developed into an international quality 3-storey building.

Furthermore, the popular stand at the Stadium is also being enlarged to be fitted with seats to accommodate about 45,000 fans.

The seats are expected to be numbered, to correspond with match tickets.