Baba Yara Stadium

Baba Yara Sports Stadium (also Kumasi Sports Stadium) is a multi-purpose stadium in Kumasi, Ashanti. It is Ghana's largest stadium, with a seating capacity of 40,528. The Kumasi Stadium is used mostly for football matches, although it is also used for athletics. It is the home of one of Africa's most popular sports club, Asante Kotoko as well as King Faisal.[2]

Baba Yara Sports Stadium
Kumasi Sports Stadium
Former namesKumasi Sports Stadium
LocationKumasi, Ashanti, Ghana
OwnerSports Council of Ashanti
Capacity40,528 [1]
Construction
Opened1959 (first stands were built in 1971)
Project managerUnited African Company (UAC)
Tenants
Asante Kotoko[1]

History
Kumasi Sports Stadium in the 26th Africa Cup of Nations

The stadium was originally built by the United African Company (UAC) in 1957 and inaugurated as a designated football pitch in 1959. The first stands were constructed in 1971. The stadium was rebuilt in 1977. It was renamed after Kumasi-born footballer Baba Yara (1936–1969, active for Asante Kotoko 1955–1961) under the New Patriotic government in 2004.[3] The third major works ended in 2008. As part of the works, the west stand was demolished to be replaced by a two-tier stand with press, corporate, and VIP facilities. The rest of the stands were upgraded, seats were added, and transparent panels were installed to separate the spectator area from the playing area in order to prevent pitch invasions.[2]

Tournaments

1978, 2000 and 2008 African Cup of Nations

The stadium hosted 6 group matches and one of the semi final matches of the 1978 African Cup of Nations tournament. During the 2000 African Cup of Nations, the stadium hosted 7 matches.[4] It was later used for the 2008 African Cup of Nations.

References
  1. "Classic club: The great Porcupines of Africa - FIFA.com". fifa.com. FIFA. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  2. David Kyei (2008-01-06). "Kotoko to celebrate 50yrs of Kumasi Sports Stadium". Asante Kotoko. Archived from the original on 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2008-02-06.
  3. Wayo Seni (2008-01-30). "Sports News | Name the Tamale Stadium after Tanko Nasamu Name Stadium". Retrieved 2008-02-06. "To name the Kumasi Sports Stadium after him was the greatest monument to his name. That name has also been retained for the new sports stadium the government has built at the same site after demolishing the old stadium."
  4. "BBC News Online – Africa – Sport – Cup of Nations – Venue Guide – Kumasi". BBC News.

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