An agreement to refurbish the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Sports Complex has been signed between the Governments of Liberia and the People’s Republic of China.

Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan signed on behalf of Liberia while Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, His Excellency Zhao Jianhua signed on behalf of his country during Tuesday’s ceremony which took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The renovation of the SKD Stadium will cost around US$18 million, according to the Liberian Foreign Minister.

Chinese Ambassador Zhao acknowledged that the exchange of notes was yet again another milestone between the two countries, adding, “It’s always a great pressure for me to come here and sign a letter of exchange because it means that we’re going to something new today. We are going to have brand new SKD Sports Complex”.

He explained that the Chinese Government has decided to renovate the sports complex for because it was the first ever project aided by the Chinese Government: “And second over the years, the sports stadium has become a very important part of Liberians’ social life, particularly it has been important for Liberian youths. And lastly, given the fact that the sports stadium is important in terms of bilateral relationship the Chinese Government decided to renovate it”.

The Chinese Envoy disclosed that the renovation will begin between the end of this year and early next year and would take about two years to complete.

Ambassador Zhao noted that it is not simply a sports stadium but also manifestation of the Chinese people’s friendship towards the Liberian people, adding, it is also a manifestation of good relationship between our two countries.

In response, Foreign Minister Ngafuan expressed appreciation on behalf of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to the Chinese Leader, President Xi Jinping for yet another manifestation of what he termed as a “solid partnership”.

“What China has done for us since the re-establishment of diplomatic relationship when our Government recognized and adopted the One-China Policy, you have come out and assisted our people in a lot of ways”, Foreign Minister Ngafuan told the Chinese  Ambassador.   

He listed the China’s tremendous and positive impact in the health, education, agriculture and infrastructure sectors of Liberia.

“Now, you’re entering a terrain that is very close to a lot of Liberians…sports, which they call (here) the passion of life”, he added, further stating that “sports is not just for recreation but also for reconciliation which is also good for our progress”.

The Foreign Minister then assured the Chinese of the Liberian Government’s cooperation as China prepares to make the national stadium a top class one in Africa.

The Chinese Government completed and turned over the SKD Stadium to the Liberian Government in 1986.