The timetable for the extension of the Grand Stade de Tanger was impacted by the selection of the capital of Detroit to host some Club World Cup matches, scheduled from February 1 to 11, 2023.
Indeed, the works, which started at the end of 2021 and which were to last 18 months, will be completed, at the latest, this January 20 instead of April-March 2023, tells us a reliable source.
“The project is in turmoil to be ready for this meeting. It will be delivered by January 20 at the latest. The bulk of the work will be completed before January 13just before a visit to FIFA services“, says our source. “The organization of the 2023 Club World Cup is not just the business of a few sports infrastructures. These are also preparations in terms of accommodation and transport.”
It is also for their infrastructure and accommodation capacity that the cities of Rabat and Tangier were chosen to host this major event.
Main stadium lawn ready
“Regarding the sports infrastructure, it concerns the main stadium and the training pitches. The pitch of the main stadium is already ready. We took advantage of the World Cup break to complete it. The rest of the work is going well.“, further specifies our source.
The National Association of Public Facilities (ANEP), delegated contracting authority for the extension project of the Grand Stade de Tanger, is in particular responsible for preparing the training pitches. In the capital, also selected to host some matches of the competition, it is the company Rabat Development which has been designated.
“For this project, ANEP was on longer delays. Now we are on another configuration, in order to be ready in time for the 2023 Club World Cup.”
The work consists mainly of improving the reception capacity of the stadium of 20,000 additional places, from around 40,000 with more than 60,000 seats. They also concern the lawnwhich had to be redone, as well as the maintenance of the stadium buildings (painting, carpentry, structural work, waterproofing and coating, among others).
Teams mobilized 24 hours a day
“The necessary is being done to be there, complete the bleachers, set up the seats and strengthen the lighting”, adds our interlocutor. “The rate of progress on the site is between 60% and 70%. Several teams take turns 24 hours a day to speed up the pace.”
With regard to the state of progress of this project, a ministerial commission is in charge of strategic component. It is made up of the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Chakib Benmoussa, the President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Fouzi Lekjaâ, and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication. , who will be hosting the opening ceremony.
The steering component, for its part, is managed by the vice-presidents of various federations and the general managers of the organizations concerned, in particular the company Rabat Aménagement.
As a reminder, the Club World Cup will know the participationamong other things, Real Madridwinner of the European Champions League, Wydad of Casablancawinner of the CAF Champions League, Sounders de Seattlefrom Flamengo and of theAuckland City.
Inaugurated in 2011, the Grand Stade de Tanger is located at the entrance to the city, ten minutes from the center. It is served by the international airport of Tangier (4 km) and the railway station (10 km). Bus lines also provide direct transport.
In addition to football matches, the stadium hosts different types of events, from seminars to team building from companies to gala evenings and concerts. It has four football changing rooms, two athletics changing rooms and a referees changing room.
