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(Special for CAFS)Benin's Friendship Stadium re-named to pay tribute to late president

Xinhua, December 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

Benin's President Yayi Boni announced Thursday that the Amitie or Friendship Stadium in Cotonou built by a Chinese cooperation is renamed Stade de l'Amitie Mathieu Kerekou to pay tribute to the deceased president of the West African country.

Mathieu Kerekou died last Oct. 14 at the age of 82 after a lengthy illness. He came to power by coup in October 1972 and was defeated 1990, before returning to power again through a democratic election. He ruled the country from April 1996 to April 2006.

"The Benin's government decided to give the name of this great and worthy son of Benin to a key meeting place, benefits of his efforts for his people, the Amitie statdium of Cotonou," Boni said.

It will "keep the name of the late president Mathieu Kerekou in our minds and hearts," he said.

The stadium covers over 31 ha and was built at a total cost of 10 million U.S. dollars, under Chinese financing, as part of China and Benin cooperation.

According to official sources, it is the first symbol of the cooperation between the two countries and was commissioned in November 1982.

The complex comprises 35,000 seats football stadium, a 5,000 seats sports-center, a tennis court, a 1,500 seats Olympic-sized swimming pool, a three-storey hotel, besides football, handball and basketball training grounds. Enditem