Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex

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Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex
SKD, SKD Stadium
250px
Location Monrovia, Liberia
Capacity 35,000[1]
Opened 1986


The Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium (frequently abbreviated SKD Stadium) is a multi-purpose stadium in Paynesville, Liberia built in 1986. It is used mostly for football matches and has an athletics track, though it has also been used for a reggae concert, political rallies, IDP refuge, and Ebola treatment. The largest stadium in Liberia, its spectator capacity is 35,000. [1]

Background

The stadium was commissioned by President William Tolbert, who was removed in a 1980 coup d'etat by Samuel Doe. Completed during Doe's reign, he named the facility after himself. [2]

During Liberia's second civil war, thousands sought refuge in the stadium.[3] On June 24, 2003, following the breakdown of a cease fire, there were a reported 58,000 IDPs in the stadium, more than 5% of Monrovia's estimated 1,000,000 residents. [3]

The stadium has had frequent problems with overcrowding, due on at least one occasion to illegal ticket sales.[4] In 2008, eight people died of suffocation following a football match, and in 2014, spectators were reported to have fainted. [4]

The stadium has been the site of international concerts, national political events, and multiple World Cup qualifying matches.[4] In 1988, the Reggae Sunsplash concert was held in SKD. The 24-hour long event featured Burning Spear, Yellowman, and other well-known roots and dancehall reggae artists flown in from Jamaica.[5] During the campaign for the Liberian general election in 2011 the Congress for Democratic Change held exclusive rallies in the stadium.[6]

Renovations

In September 2005, a $7.6 million renovation funded by China was announced and Chinese company Hunan Constructing Engineering Group Corporation was named as the contractor. [7] After the two-year renovation was complete, Liberia lacked the expertise to manage the electronic scoreboard. The grass was badly damaged after a 2009 international women's conference.[8]

In October 2013, another agreement was signed between the governments of Liberia and China funding a $18 million renovation of the stadium. [9] The plans for the second renovation included the practice pitch and tennis courts that were not repaired six years earlier. [10]

Matches between Liberian county teams were reported in early 2014. [4]

Ebola Treatment

During the Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia, SKD was the site of a Chinese-built Ebola treatment unit. The 100-bed hospital, constructed by the Chinese firm CNQC, was planned for 160 specialized medical personnel from China. [11] It opened in November 2014 with a ceremony attended by President Sirleaf [12] In May 2015 the ETU was decommissioned after treating 10 confirmed cases and admitting 110 patients.[13] The 20-room facility and its more than 920,000 items, including more than 1,500 kinds of medical instruments and materials worth approximately $7 million, was turned over to the Liberian government. [13] As part of the ceremony, President Sirleaf was presented with a flag of the People's Liberation Army medical team.[13]

In August 2015, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi visited SKD stadium and met with Chinese workers.[14]

References

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