Despite sporadic incidents of vandalism, the much-awaited inauguration of the Tangier stadium impressed both fans and entrepreneurs.
Three months after the inauguration of Marrakech stadium, Morocco on Tuesday (April 26th) launched another ambitious sports complex. The opening ceremony of the 45,000-seat Tangier stadium featured two exhibition matches and spectacular fireworks.
In the first match, Ittihad de Tangier drew against Atlético Madrid 1-1. Hamza Felihi Laaroussi scored in the 18th minute for the hosts, and Regalon Cereto scored the equaliser in the 52nd minute.
The second game pitted the Spanish team against Raja Casablanca. Atletico Madrid won 3-1. Diego Forlan (12th, 48th and 53rd minutes) notched up a superb hat trick, with Abdelmoula Berrabeh scoring the only goal for the Moroccans in the 35th minute.
The ceremony, however, was marred by some acts of vandalism which were described by Youth Minister Moncef Belkhayat as minor. A total of 15 seats were damaged, and on several occasions supporters invaded the pitch.
The public turned out en masse and appreciated the standard of the facilities and architecture.
Faisal, a young man from Tangier, said he was happy to see the opening of a new, large and spacious football stadium like those to be found in Spain.
"I really like it, but it's so far from where I live," he added.
Another Tangier fan voiced a similar concern, hoping to see a solution to the transport problem. "We're working with city officials to resolve the problem of access to the stadium and to optimise traffic flows in order to reduce congestion," Wali of Tangier Mohamed Hassad reassured fans at an April 18th press conference.
The stadium, which cost more than a billion dirhams, was designed in accordance with FIFA competition and safety standards.
Sonarges managing director Khalil Benabdellah, whose company is tasked with managing the stadiums, said local club Ittihad Riadi Tanger would be able to make its home in the new complex in return for what was described as a symbolic payment. The club will be able to use the stadium and Sonarges will receive 15% of ticket sales in addition to advertising revenue.
Work on the 84-hectare site started in September 2003. Access to the stadium is by 17 gates and one large main entrance. There are also large rooms equipped with the latest technology to be used for seminars and conferences.
"The new big stadium in Tangiers was designed as a genuine space for sporting, artistic and cultural expression, with all the benefits of a high-quality lighting and sound system, thus making it possible to host festivals and concerts," Belkhayat said.
He added that the new stadium would help create jobs and provide a boost for neighbouring businesses. The ministry hopes to set up a multi-purpose sports complex around the stadium to give Tangier youths access to different sporting disciplines.
On the side-lines of the inauguration, Sonarges also inked an accord with the French Professional Football League (LFP) to hold the Champions Trophy at the stadium. The partnership is intended as a way of working together to train and share expertise and set up a worldwide interclub co-operation network, with 12 clubs representing five continents.
© Magharebia.com 2011
