Coronavirus has stopped the building work of stadiums in Ivory Coast, the host country of 2023 AFCON. The Ivorian leaders are very ambitious regarding renovations and establishment of new sports infrastructures.

The Office National des Sports (ONS) reassures the pessimists during an interview to the magazine, Bonne Gouvernance Infos. Through its Director General Mariame Koné Yoda, ONS gives, stadium after stadium, the progress of the works. According to the head of the ONS, Ebimpé is at 98% to finish, Yamoussoukro (50%), Bouaké (50%), San Pedro (25%) and Korhogo (20%). She gives the reasons of the delay for the last two stadiums.

“The low rate in Korhogo and San Pedro can be explained. It is for the fact that workers returning to China for the holiday season are stopped there because of coronavirus pandemic. Regarding the Félix Houphouet-Boigny stadium in Abidjan, the rehabilitation contract is being awarded,” she said.

The 2023 AFCON, a boon for Ivory Coast to modernize its sports infrastructure. “A vast rehabilitation and construction project of more than 200 local sports complexes throughout the national territory. Rehabilitation, Equipment and Construction of Sports Infrastructure Program (PRECIS SPECIAL) to carry it out”.

Ivory Coast wants to be ready in time for their second AFCON organization after 1984 edition.