Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has instructed Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) personnel to complete the necessary budgets for finishing construction of a new soccer stadium in Sakhnin.

In wake of Bnei Sakhnin’s winning the 2004 State Cup and Prime Minister Sharon’s assurance regarding the construction of a new soccer stadium in Sakhnin, approximately NIS 14.5 million were transferred in 2004 to this end.  These funds were transferred from the Sports Betting Council (NIS 5.5 million), the Construction and Housing Ministry (NIS 2 million) and the Prime Minister’s Office and the Sports Authority at the Education, Culture and Sports Ministry (NIS 7 million).

In order to complete construction of a stadium that would enable Bnei Sakhnin to host top-level soccer games, the PMO will coordinate the transfer, in 2005, of an additional NIS 2.25 million from the PMO, the Construction and Housing Ministry and the Interior Ministry.  Vice-Premier Shimon Peres has greatly contributed to the project.  Prime Minister Sharon has instructed that an additional approximately NIS 2 million be transferred in 2005-2006 in order to enable completion of the first stage of building the new stadium.

The PMO has previously agreed with MKs Mohammad Barakeh and Abdulmalik Dehamshe on the further transfer of an additional NIS 2 million by the PMO.

PMO Director-General Ilan Cohen emphasized that after the transfer of the agreed-upon sum, the Bnei Sakhnin management must complete the construction of the stadium as it has agreed.  He added that the construction of facilities that allow equal opportunity for competition by sports teams from the Arab sector is very important.