- Martyrs of February Stadium
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Martyrs of February Stadium Location Benina (east of Benghazi), Libya Coordinates 32°4′59.9999″N 20°16′0″E / 32.083333306°N 20.266667°ECoordinates: 32°4′59.9999″N 20°16′0″E / 32.083333306°N 20.266667°E Built February 2008-March 2009 Opened 5 March 2009 Owner Libyan Football Federation Operator Benghazi clubs Surface Artificial Capacity 10,550[1] Field dimensions 68 metres (74 yd) by 105 metres (115 yd)[1] Tenants Al Ahly Benghazi, Al Hilal, Al Nasr[1] Martyrs of February Stadium (Arabic: ملعب شهداء فبراير), otherwise known as Benina Stadium (Arabic: ملعب بنينة), is a Libyan football stadium located in Benina, a town 19 km east of Benghazi. The stadium was constructed by the same company that built the Brita-Arena in Germany. The stadium holds 10,550 people[2]. This is Libya's first all-seater stadium. The stadium will be used by most Benghazi clubs, and may be used by the national team as well. The surface of the pitch is artificial. The pitch's dimensions are 105m x 68m.[2] The cost of construction of the stadium was around LYD 20m.[2]
The stadium was originally named after Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez[3][4], due to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's close friendship with him.[4][5]However, following the 2011 Libyan civil war, it was announced that the stadium had been renamed in honour of the Martyrs of February, the people who were killed in fighting to liberate Eastern Libya from pro-Gaddafi forces.[6]
The stadium was opened on 5 March 2009, as the Libya U-23 team played the Syria U-23 in a friendly. A capacity crowd watched the match finish 2-1 to the Syrians, with Libya and Al Ahly Benghazi's Ihab Ghafir becoming the first player to score at the stadium, in the 28th minute.
The first goal to be scored at the new stadium in a competitive match was scored by Al Hilal's Alaa al Oujli in the 26th minute of their league match with Al Jazeera. The match ended 2-2.
On 8 March 2011, the National Transitional Council renamed the stadium Martyrs of February, in honor of those who died in the popular uprising against the rule of Gaddafi. The new name has been spray-painted in red, with the expectation that new signs will soon be installed.[7]
References
- ^ a b c Benina Stadium at goalzz.com
- ^ a b c Information about Benina Stadium at kooora.com (Arabic)
- ^ Name of Benina Stadium revealed (Arabic) kooora.com
- ^ a b Libya honours Chavez with stadium BBC News, 6 March 2009
- ^ New stadium in Benina named after Venezuelan president (Arabic) 1 March 2009 Al Watan-Libya.com
- ^ Venezuela's Hugo Chavez loses Libya stadium honour - BBC News, 8 March 2011
- ^ http://eluniversal.com/2011/03/08/hugo-chavez-se-queda-sin-estadio-en-libia.shtml Hugo Chavez se queda sin estadio en Libia
External links
- Photo at www.worldstadiums.com
- Report (Arabic)
- Details & Libya vs. Syria match report (Arabic)
- Libya vs. Syria match report & Opening Ceremony (Arabic)
Libyan Premier League Venues - 2010-11 June 11 Stadium · Green Document Stadium · Zaawia Stadium · 9 July Stadium · 2 March Stadium (Sirte) · GMR Stadium · Martyrs of February StadiumCategories:- Football venues in Libya
- Buildings and structures in Benghazi
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