Work to vacate FAM arena grounds begins

FAM has said that their arena grounds at the Maafannu Stadium to construct a football stadium, which they have begun vacating, is still in use by companies that are renting plots.

As FAM's notice stating all goods and vehicles located at an FAM plot are to be vacated within 14 days was not observed fully, a final opportunity had been given for the goods and vehicles to be vacated, with the deadline being 7th February. If any vehicle or goods remain after 7th February, FAM will begin to confiscate said goods and vehicles, as was written in the announcement that was published to the Gazette.

The announcement also states that they will not be responsible for damages to any of the goods and vehicles the association removes.

An official from FAM stated they were told by many companies who are leasing the plots that they will begin to vacate the premises. The official also said that the police have begun vacating vehicles from the designated police tow yard.

"The police have already emptied the premises of many of their vehicles aside from the heavy vehicles, with a large part having been vacated," said the FAM official.

"Many of the private companies who were leasing the plots are also working to vacate the premises and have said they will hand over the plots."

As per the official, some company seniors and FAM's interim office are working together on projects. The official said that said companies have also assured that the plots will be vacated.

"There are some famous companies who were also using the plots. The company seniors had attended the meeting we had scheduled and assured they would cooperate," said the FAM official.

The plot is being vacated in order to build two large football stadiums. The official said in order for the expenses for building the two stadiums to be covered by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) under one of their programs, they have also sent a proposal to that end.

The government leased the plot to FAM for 50 years for the construction of a sports arena at FIFA's expense.

Nevertheless, the plot is not being used as intended. Along with the office building, it includes warehouses being used by private businesses.

Various parts of the building were rented out to private businesses in order to build warehouses, which was done during former FAM President Bassam Adeel Jaleel's term. This decision was made by FAM even though their ExCo's had not signed off on it. FAM also said that there were no discussions held with nor permissions granted by the Sports Ministry and FIFA.

On 29th December, FAM ExCo's decided to stop observing the agreements that were made to rent parts of the building to various parties.

However, a notice has not been released as of yet for the warehouses to be cleared out.