In the middle of the endless war… 3 obstacles facing the return of football to Khartoum

The head of the General Football Association told Sky News Arabia that the works being carried out in the stadiums of Khartoum, Al Hilal and Al Merreikh are only about cleaning and cleaning the environment, in preparation for the renovation works, adding that the stadiums are no longer compatible with foreign countries and cannot participate in foreign games.

He explained that the only stadium that should be used for international games is… Sports City Stadium in Karima City After processing the requirements.

Premier League matches in the capital have been at a standstill since the start of the war, in which 16 clubs took part, including… Crescent and Mars.

Club managers want to renovate their stadiums, but Al Hilal Club chief confirmed that the cost of renovation is high. Al Hilal Stadium It is said to be around $10 million, which is difficult to maintain considering the current financial situation.

Recent pictures of the Al-Merreikh stadium in Omdurman showed extensive damage, as there was no grass on the floor, and some seats were damaged.

Although the government announced the return to Khartoum recently, the three main cities still suffer from a lack of electricity, transportation, and security, which hinders the resumption of sports, according to journalist Yasser Qassem.

Clubs also face difficulties playing outside the capital due to poor pitches, leading to player injuries.

For his part, Councilor Kamal Al-Amin pointed out the legal obstacle that prevents the holding of international matches in the so-called “war zones,” which prevents Al-Hilal and Al-Merreikh from hosting foreign matches.

Qasim added that the clubs rely on players who need a permanent place, which is not available in Khartoum, noting that most of the participating teams look abroad, and no competing club is willing to play in Sudan at the moment.

Qassem concluded by stressing that the return of people to the stadiums depends on the return of security and normal life, adding that any promotion to the contrary “is seen as arrogance and a falsehood of reality.”