The ground breaking ceremony for the new US94 million Independence Stadium was held in Lusaka on Monday afternoon.

Chinese vice premier Hui Liangyu and Zambia president Rupiah Banda this afternoon oversaw the ceremony for the stadium project that will seat 50,000 spectators when completed.

President Banda said he was pleased that the new Independence Stadium project was finally taking off.

“The rehabilitation of Independence Stadium is a project that has been outstanding for a number of years now,” President Banda said.

“Soccer fans in Zambia will recall very well that in the recent past.

“ Zambia has had difficulties with venues for most international football matches because of the pending works on the Independence Stadium.”

And vice premier Hui said The Peoples Republic of China was pleased to partner with Zambia in sports infrastructure development starting with the Ndola Stadium, that is expected to be completed this June, and now Lusaka the project.

Construction of the new Independence Stadium is expected to begin at the end of the rainy season in April.

25 COMMENTS

Mr. Capitalist - 3 E's steering economic growth January 10, 2011 At 5:54 pm

Good news.
Bwesu January 10, 2011 At 5:56 pm

This is a good development that I hope will help the country especially the youth and keep them away from mischief such as very young girls marrying very old men like RB!
Umu guys January 10, 2011 At 5:57 pm

Nice move.Atleast Levy`s visions are being walked.
Maria K January 10, 2011 At 5:59 pm

Ok I,m waiting **==
TK January 10, 2011 At 6:05 pm

thanks to the peoples republic and thank to mr rupiah banda
john phiri January 10, 2011 At 6:05 pm

RB kuya bebele!!!
G Unit January 10, 2011 At 6:08 pm

Good news,now Chinese have a reason to shoot more noisy zedians.
Big Mama January 10, 2011 At 6:15 pm

mmmmm KK’s project since it was first built in 1964, not RB. lol
VOICE FROM DIASPORA January 10, 2011 At 6:31 pm

In as much as this may be “good news” to some people, it does not deserve so much publicity and praise at this point because it might prove to be mere rhetoric. I would advise that we wait and save our energies until when the project kicks off or possibly when it is completed and handed over to us the citizens.
Sympathizer January 10, 2011 At 6:39 pm

Good news to the nation, long overdue.
Uncle PSK January 10, 2011 At 6:49 pm

China or no China, RB or no RB we need the stadium.
operation: Owl January 10, 2011 At 7:07 pm

All this was LP´s dream apart from letting loose the corrupt criminals and the rest of the plunderers.
Max Mbizo January 10, 2011 At 7:49 pm

Kitwe is the scond largest city in Zambia and the most centrally located city on the Copperbelt with a very strong football tradition being the home of the 11 times league champions, Nkana; the only continental cup winners, Power Dynamos; and soccer legends like Godfrey Chitalu, Peter Kaumba, Moses Simwala, Fred Mwila, and many others. And yet the city is never even mentioned in the construction of a large scale stadia and always has to play second fiddle to Lusaka, Ndola, and even Livingstone. Just how are decisions such as these made?
Nigger Nature January 10, 2011 At 8:09 pm

#13 Grow up!
general January 10, 2011 At 8:18 pm

Nchanga stadium the home of Brave Nchanga Rangers, should upgraded also. it has produced players like Willie Phiri, Jimmy Salim, Bruce Mwape, Joeffry Mulenga, Stone Nyirenda, Webby Chikabala, Andrew Sinkala and his late father moffart mutambo, Elijah Tana, Moses Sichone, Laughter Chilembi, Happy Sichikolo, Davy Sunday, Ignitius Muswala and Nkalamu just to mention a few.
Bwaima January 10, 2011 At 8:41 pm

Ok, so this to some means eradication of poverty, ubukopo, with our soccer standards do we need 2 big stadiums?
iye January 10, 2011 At 8:56 pm

Football is made in Kitwe. We need a new stadium there NOW!
mukabe come 2011 January 10, 2011 At 10:08 pm

Unfortunately its not for) to decide where the stadium should be located. These are borrowed moneys on which the Lender have a bigger say. Its not a Zambian but Chinese stadium
john phiri January 10, 2011 At 10:11 pm

why there are too many bembas in football?
we can also play you remember nelso banda??
therefore we need a studium in chipata!!!and pliz tell those chines to go to mongu and build a studium while killing those who are making noise that side!!!
Musatano January 11, 2011 At 6:13 am

john Banda you are mad,that is so funny
general January 11, 2011 At 6:27 am

Copper z coming from chingola and hence …………………
Rasta Man January 11, 2011 At 7:29 am

Bravo RB,at least u have something to show the people of Zambia of what u are doing especially ungrateful fatherless Frank Bwalya.
the doctor January 11, 2011 At 9:36 am

win win partnership!!! satana wants them chinese out when the rest of the world if forgin stronger ties wit china includin taiwan!!! satana kwena ni satana mwee!!!!!
MMD Chief Bootlicker #4 January 11, 2011 At 10:56 am

#13 You are right in your complaint about KT but remember they say “Rome was not build in a day!” I am very sure that by the time RB leaves office in 2016 Kitwe will also have a brand new stadium just like Ndola is going to have by June 2011. For those who think that this might be rethoric, just watch while things are happening everywhere. There a saying that “a man who says it cant be done is often interrupted by the one doing it” Certainly Kitwe will not be left out from HE RB’s developmental agenda! Remember he is “President for ALL Zambians!”
Oh-Sir-Shoe-La iwe January 11, 2011 At 1:28 pm

(Mimicking)..”Yes these are KK’s programmes and vision so RB should not not take any credit for it. Remember it was KK who contacted them for the TAZARA project?” …
Now come on you f**ls, it is not how you begin the race but how you finish it! Credit to RB who is making these dreams come true..
Shouldn’t Obama be proud to be USA’s 1st black president coz Martin Luther had a dream?