THE President of Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga), Hersi Ally Said, has confirmed that plans to construct the club’s long awaited stadium at Jangwani have reached a significant milestone following the receipt of the project’s initial architectural design.

Speaking in Zanzibar during an ongoing Executive Committee meeting, Hersi (pictured) said the club has made notable progress in formalising key aspects of the project, including identifying a partner to implement the development and outlining the specific features required for the proposed facility.

According to Hersi, the stadium will be built on the club’s Jangwani land, measuring approximately 250 metres, and the leadership has already communicated its expectations to the selected construction partner.

“The stadium project to be built at Jangwani is progressing well. We have already announced the partner we will work with and have formally communicated what we expect in the design and structure of the stadium,” Hersi said.

He added that the focus at this stage is on mobilising funds to facilitate the first phase of construction works. The club’s leadership expects further clarity within a week, when the Executive Committee reconvenes to assess the progress made since receiving the initial design.

“Our intention is to secure the necessary funds to begin implementation. Within a week, we expect preparations for the first phase of the buildings to be finalised,” he noted.

Hersi explained that the club has submitted detailed technical requirements to GSM, the company that recently won the tender to construct the stadium. He emphasised that the ambition is to deliver a modern facility that meets both national and international standards.

The club is targeting a stadium that falls between Category Three and Category Four under the classification guidelines of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). A Category Three stadium can host matches up to the quarter final stage of the CAF Champions League, while a Category Four facility is eligible to stage matches up to the final.

“We understand that CAF stadiums are classified into four categories. Category Three allows matches up to the quarter finals of the Champions League, while Category Four can host up to the final. Our aim is to build a stadium that falls between Category Three and Four in terms of quality. We want a modern stadium capable of meeting all national and international requirements,” Hersi explained.

He described the receipt of the first design as a historic moment for the club, noting that despite its long and successful history since its establishment in 1935, Young Africans have never completed a big stadium project of its own.

“Today we have received the first design. This is a historic step. Since the founding of Yanga, this project has never been completed. Now we are moving towards building a historic stadium and fulfilling the dream of our members and supporters,” he said.

The Young Africans president clarified that once the final design is completed, a formal contract will outline the responsibilities of each party involved in the project. The next stage is expected to focus on detailed cost discussions and financial planning.

“After this meeting, within one week many issues should be settled. The following week we will sit down to discuss the project costs in the second phase. The contract will clearly define the obligations of each side,” he added.

Regarding the involvement of GSM, Hersi confirmed that although a formal construction contract has not yet been signed, the company has already been declared the winner of the tender process to implement the project.

The company, which is also a sponsor of Young Africans, has assured the club that funds are available and that construction can commence immediately once all procedural requirements are completed.

“We have not yet signed the contract with GSM, but they won the construction tender. They have assured us that the funds are ready and that once everything is finalised, the project will begin immediately,” Hersi stated.

Two weeks ago, Young Africans officially announced the company as the successful bidder for the construction of the stadium, marking a major development in the club’s infrastructure ambitions.

The proposed stadium is expected to enhance Young Africans competitiveness by providing a modern home ground that meets continental standards, while also contributing to the broader development of sports infrastructure in Tanzania. For a club with a proud history and a vast supporter base, the Jangwani project represents more than a construction initiative  it signals a strategic step toward long term institutional growth and sustainability.