The official ground breaking ceremony for the renovation project of Zimbabwe National Sports Stadium has been held in the country's capital city of Harare.

 

Zhang Xianyi, Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, said at the ceremony Wednesday that the China-donated stadium has witnessed the development of traditional friendship between the two countries in the past 20 years.

 

The stadium covering an area of 17 hectares and accommodating 60,000 spectators have seen many international and local sports games as well as important gatherings since it was built and financed by the Chinese government in 1987.

 

The renovation is expected to be completed in 20 months with a cost of US$5.8 million, which is disbursed with the previous grant provided by the Chinese government to Zimbabwe.

 

Zimbabwe's Minister of Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development Ignatius Chombo said the maintenance project is expected to enhance the utility and functionality of the stadium, as well as improving on its aesthetics. The maintenance works are not structural as the stadium was solidly built, he added.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2006)