Maputo, 9 Mar (AIM) - The All-Africa Games Organizing Committee (COJA) has guaranteed that there is money available to start, in April, building work on the athletes' village for the next edition of the games, due to be held in Mozambique in September 2011.

The infrastructure, to be built in the outer Maputo suburb of Zimpeto, near the National Stadium, is estimated to cost between 90 and 120 million US dollars.

COJA director Antonio Saia gave this information on Monday while commenting on the progress of the plans, particularly concerning the issue of funds. "We are happy with the guarantee of funding for the work to build the village for the games, an issue that was of a great concern for us", said Saia, adding that COJA is planning to start the work as soon as possible, to have it completed by June 2011.

COJA is currently working to legalize the plot of land where the athletes' village will be built. It is to cater for about 10,000 people, including 6,500 athletes and other members of the delegations.
 
Saia expressed satisfaction with "winning the battle" of funding, but warned that complete victory can only be claimed when the other infrastructures across the country are rehabilitated and are in good condition to host the games.

It seems that most of the funding will come from the Mozambican and Portuguese governments. During his visit to Mozambique last week, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said that his government is prepared to finance, together with the Mozambican government, the building of the athletes' village.

This will only be the third time that the games have been held in southern Africa. Originally the games were to be hosted by Zambia - but the Zambian government withdrew its proposal on the grounds of rising costs. Mozambique stepped into the breach, and the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa announced in 2009 that Mozambique would host the games.

The Games will cover 26 sports including athletics, football, swimming, squash, badminton, volleyball, basketball, tennis, hockey, handball and boxing
 (AIM)