Two sportsgrounds in Sittwe to be upgraded

By Admin 13 Jul 2023

DMG Newsroom
13 July 2023, Sittwe

Waithali sportsground and Danyawaddy sportsground in Arakan State’s Sittwe will be upgraded to include stands, pools and tracks, according to the Arakan State Sport and Physical Education Department.

Waithali sportsground will be upgraded to become a stadium to host state-level sporting events, and Danyawaddy sportsground will also be upgraded, said U Win Maung, director of the Arakan State Sport and Physical Education Department.

“We will upgrade both sportsgrounds. Danyawaddy sportsground only has one stand, and we plan to build the stand on all the four sides with a roof,” he said.

The move to upgrade the two sportsgrounds came after, during his recent visit to Arakan State,  junta boss Min Aung Hlaing instructed officials of the Arakan State Administration Council to build an indoor stadium with track, stand and pool capable of hosting state-level sports events.

The Sport and Physical Education Department said it has yet to discuss with relevant departments about when upgrading can start.

Athletes in Arakan State have welcomed the move.

“It is good for younger generations of athletes. We will be able to play cane ball and other sports in indoor stadiums,” said Ko Khine Kyaw Tun, a player from a football club in Buthidaung.

Other residents, however, say the regime should give priority to rehabilitation efforts instead of upgrading sportsgrounds.

Former lawmaker U Aung Kyaw Htwee of Pauktaw Township said: “Many people still suffer from the consequences of Cyclone Mocha. The regime must allow direct international aid to storm victims.”