Tamale, Dec. 20, GNA - Mr. Osei Bonsu Amoah, Deputy Minister of Education and Sports on Tuesday formally handed over the site for the construction of the new Tamale sports stadium to the Shanghai Construction Company of China for the take off of the project. The new stadium, which is expected to be ready in September 2007, is one of the venues earmarked for the hosting of the 2008 African Cup of Nations (CAN 2008) in Ghana.

The 21,017 seater-capacity modern Stadium would have a 400-bedroom facility, a space for about 3,039 vehicles, and an outer training pitch. Mr. Amoah said the decision of government to include Tamale as one of the venues for the CAN 2008 was due to the fact that the Northern Region abounds in football and other sporting talents.

He gave the assurance that government would also develop the tourism sites in the Region before the tournament kicks off, adding that similar tourists sites in the Upper East and Upper West Regions would also be promoted to boost the country's economy.

Mr Amoah said that the three Northern Region's needed the requisite facilities to groom young talents in sports, especially soccer to help the country regain its past glory in the various disciplines. The Deputy Minister called for the support and cooperation of all Ghanaians to ensure a successfully hosting of the event as a way of winning the confidence of the international soccer authorities. Mr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the Deputy Northern Regional Minister advised local artisans who would be working with the contractors to show honesty in the use of materials to ensure the smooth completion of the stadium.

He gave the assurance that there would be adequate protection for the contractors and their equipment and advised them to offer the local artisans the needed training so that they can reciprocate in future projects, adding that, "Just show them how to fish here but don't give them your fish", in an apparent reference to a Chinese proverb. Mr. Mark Chen, Project Manager of Shanghai Construction Company said he was optimistic that the stadium would be completed on schedule.