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Addis Ababa’s Mini Stadiums Boost Local Sports and Social Interaction
By Chekole Alemu
I the editor in chief of Horn News Hub has witnessed the city’s development and how it is influencing the daily lives of residents. One of the most visible aspects of the current transformation in Addis Ababa is the focus on citizen centered development, a policy direction strongly associated with the administration of Mayor Adanech Abiebie. Among the areas reflecting this shift is the expansion of public sports and recreational infrastructure across the capital.
Within this broader context, Dagu Sports Media and members of its community today held a friendly football match at a public mini stadium in the Bole area, near Golagol Tour. The event brought together media professionals and local residents, using sport as a platform for social interaction and community engagement.
An organizer of the match, who asked not to be named, told Horn News Hub that the initiative was designed to strengthen social ties between the media and the communities they serve. He said the match also aimed to encourage youth participation in sports and promote healthier lifestyles through regular physical activity.
The organizer further explained that Addis Ababa’s corridor development has played a significant role in expanding access to sports facilities. According to him, the growing number of mini stadiums and public playing fields is inspiring young people to take part in sports, spend time within their neighborhoods, and develop their talents. He added that these facilities could help produce qualified players for the Ethiopian National Team over the next decade.
The Addis Ababa City Administration has constructed mini stadiums in different corners of the city, increasing opportunities for residents to engage in football and other recreational activities. These facilities are increasingly used for both organized competitions and informal community gatherings.
The Addis Ababa City Administration Youth and Sports Bureau, has stated that on its verified facebook page the capital has recently expanded recreational options for residents from all walks of life. According to the institutions, the provision of new sports and recreational centers has positively influenced adult participation in physical activities and strengthened community interaction.
Officials have also noted that the new mini stadiums have contributed to a stronger sense of community and family cohesion by creating accessible public spaces for recreation and social life.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has previously announced plans to construct more than 1,000 mini stadiums across Addis Ababa. He made the statement while responding to questions from members of Parliament during the second regular session of the fifth year of the sixth House of Peoples’ Representatives.
In a recent update, the Addis Ababa City Administration Youth and Sports Bureau reported that 15 sports recreational facilities were built and made operational over the past six months. The Bureau’s six month performance review indicated that community based fitness activities and organized sports competitions during the period delivered positive results.
Overall, available information shows that nearly 2,581 sports and recreational facilities have been built across Addis Ababa since the current reform government came to power. Observers say the continued expansion of public sports infrastructure reflects a broader effort to improve quality of life, promote social cohesion, and place citizens at the center of the city’s development agenda.
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