THE Regent of Gukpegu (Chief of Tamale), Gbang-Lana Alhaji Ziblim Abdulai, has willingly released a large parcel of land for the construction of a multi-purpose stadium in the metropolis for CAN 2008.

The 20,000 capacity stadium will be located at the site close to the forest at the Education Ridge, near Nyohini, a suburb of the metropolis.

Tamale is one of the four regional capitals selected to host the 2008 African Cup of Nations tournament. The rest are Takoradi where another stadium will also be constructed, while the existing stadia in Accra and Kumasi will be renovated and expanded.

Alhaji Abdulai disclosed the offer during a courtesy call on him by some members of the Local Organising Committee of CAN 2008.

A former GFA Chairman, Alhaji Nurudeen Jawula, led the three-member delegation. The rest were Messrs Osei Frimpong and David Tetteh.

According to the Gbang-Lana, his outfit and other land user agencies in the metropolis had protected the land over the years from encoachers because it had been designated as a site for a stadium.

He noted that residents in the metropolis had great passion for sports, particularly football, and therefore expressed the hope that they would lend their unflinching support for the successful execution of the project.

The team later visited the proposed site to inspect the boundaries which they described as suitable.