Malakal town gets new stadium upgrade

MALAKAL - Malakal County Commissioner Sayyid Awad Marajan officially inaugurated a new lighting system for Malakal stadium on Monday as part of the preparation for the upcoming celebrations marking the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement scheduled for January 9th. ٍ

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service at Malakal stadium, Mr. Marajan said the inauguration ceremony marks the 1st phase of installing a lighting system necessary for conducting games and cultural activities late in the evening during the celebrations.

Sudan Radio Service’s Rebecca Okwaci reported from Malakal that “At about 7pm yesterday evening Monday 29 of December Malakal residents were thrilled by powerful light that lit the sky of the town. There are no traces in the memory of Malakal residents of anything to do with flood or spotlight even in the history of the town. Although the residents have been keenly following the rehabilitation and reconstruction processes ranging from building of hotels, paving of roads, restoration of water and electricity services, the 1st phase of the inauguration of the lighting system was an event in Malakal town Upper Nile. By the time I left the stadium at 9pm engineers and builders continued to go about their work in a bid to complete the 1st phase expected to be ready by the time the celebrations kick off on the 9th January 2009.”

Mr. Marajan said the second phase of the lighting system installation by Philips and Sudan Logistics Company will take place on Thursday.

He said the second phase will cover the volleyball, basketball and boxing areas. The Commissioner said Malakal sports facilities have never had such powerful lights. He said in the 60s the grounds were only lit with faint lights erected temporarily to allow for games to take place early in the evening.

Mr. Marajan said after the CPA celebrations the city will continue construction on the stadium because the aim is to upgrade the facility to international standards as well as build additional sports complexes.

(SRS)