A state-of-the-art ‘Education City’ could be built in Bahrain, if municipal councillors have their way, in a move aimed at playing a bigger game in the future when the proposed sports city takes shape.
The Southern Municipal Council is proposing that plans for the Sakhir development be modified to a more comprehensive complex similar to the Qatar Foundation’s Education City in Doha.
Doha’s project features a World Cup football stadium facility, the region’s biggest public library, branch campuses of some of the world’s leading educational institutes, a homegrown research university, start-up incubators, technology parks, heritage sites and cultural institutions.
The extended project is the brainchild of council chairman Abdulla Abdullatif, who in February proposed that Bahrain could present a joint bid with three other GCC states to host either the 2046 or 2050 FIFA World Cup Finals and join the growing football frenzy gripping the region.
The proposal includes conducting a government study on its potential. He believes that bidding to jointly-host such a prestigious event would attract positive global attention and, if successful, boost tourism and provide other investment rewards.
Works Minister Ibrahim Al Hawaj recently told MPs that the sporting centre of excellence was on the drawing board. He revealed that consultants have completed detailed drawings and were currently working on a final version, alongside tender requirements. Work on the project could be completed within 36 months, once contractual agreements were in place.
“So let it be the sports city in the first phase, but the concept of the venue being just sport-oriented shouldn’t be the case,” suggested Mr Abdullatif. “Bahrain can always build its own Education City and the success of Qatar’s experience shows it is the best approach to limited space and resources within cosmopolitan areas,” he added.
“This is not a call to copy the idea but to take it forward and mould it to match our own identity and needs.
“There are people who may not be interested in sport and just want to enjoy other activities such as a walk in a wind-powered park or read a book loaned from a new national library.
“This could be achieved if we correctly plan and invest in the country’s future.”
Mr Abdullatif said interested investors have already asked for details about the sports city. “There are many hypermarket chains, restaurants and cafés, theme park companies, and sport academies interested in taking up space there,” he claimed. “If we up the game to an education city, I believe the number of interested parties will be much higher.
“People love a comprehensive experience in which they can do everything they want all at once at the same place – something we are working to ensure.”
The sports city project will include building the largest integrated stadium in the kingdom, which will be capable of accommodating up to 50,000 spectators.
It will also include a multi-purpose hall capable of seating up to 10,000 spectators, football pitches that meet international standards, athletics tracks and Olympic-sized swimming pools.
It will also include a shopping mall and hotels in order to host visitors from aboard and attract additional tourism.
The government reportedly allocated BD48.7 million ($130m) for the project last year and BD52.1m ($138m) for this year.
The city will be located near the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), the Formula 1 Grand Prix racetrack and Exhibition World Bahrain – the largest exhibition venue of its kind in the Middle East.
It is one of more than 50 mega projects worth millions of dinars which are being rolled out to boost the economy.
It will contribute to supporting the youth and sports fields and foster an environment that promotes innovation and excellence.
The project is due to be completed by the end of next year, with the project costing BD100.8m in 2023 and 2024, and about BD84.8m in the final year.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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