STORY: Chinese-built stadium in Cote d'Ivoire to host AFCON events
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 5, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 6, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:20
LOCATION: Abidjan
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST: 
1. various of the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): MARIE PAUL KUASSI, AFCON volunteer
3. various of the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (French): ARNAUD JULE RODRIGUE, AFCON volunteer
5. various of the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (French): LARISSA FOFANA, Director of volunteers
7. various of the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (French): DOUEHI SERAPHIN, Director of the stadium
9. various of the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan
10. SOUNDBITE 5 (French): FRANCOIS ALBERT AMICHIA, President of the organizing committee
11. various of the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan

STORYLINE:

The 34th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will take place in five cities of Cote d'Ivoire from January 13 until February 11.

The Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe in Abidjan will be the main venue of the competition.

It was built with the assistance of Beijing Institute of Architectural Design (BIAD).

The stadium, the largest in Cote d'Ivoire, has a total construction area of 61,250 square meters and can accommodate 60,000 spectators.

SOUNDBITE 1 (French): MARIE PAUL KUASSI, AFCON volunteer
"I know this is a Chinese-built stadium because I have been following it through the media since the early days of the stadium's construction.
To be honest, this is the first time that I've entered the stadium. As soon as I walked in, I was completely blown away. This stadium is so beautiful. I have visited many stadiums and they are not as beautiful as this one.
I think everything about this stadium is perfect. Its structure is different from any other stadium in Cote d'Ivoire.
At the same time, the construction of this stadium allows us Africans to once again feel the Chinese people's dedicated attitude and diligence in their work."

SOUNDBITE 2 (French): ARNAUD JULE RODRIGUE, AFCON volunteer
"We have such a great stadium thanks to the cooperation our country's president has with China. This is an excellent gift for young Africans. I am also very happy to stand in a stadium built by China.
China is a country I really want to visit in the future. So I'm really happy to be able to volunteer at this beautiful stadium."

SOUNDBITE 3 (French): LARISSA FOFANA, Director of volunteers
"We all know this is a stadium built by China. This stadium will not only host the Africa Cup of Nations, but will also host more international events in the future.
We feel this is a very good cooperation between the two countries. Through this type of cooperation, China has built many infrastructure projects in Cote d'Ivoire, such as bridges, stadiums and various roads."

SOUNDBITE 4 (French): DOUEHI SERAPHIN, Director of the stadium
"It's widely recognized in Cote d'Ivoire that this stadium is an architectural gem. It can accommodate 60,000 people and is the largest stadium in Abidjan and the largest stadium in Cote d'Ivoire.
We are very proud of this gift from China. All Ivorians consider this a precious gift."

SOUNDBITE 5 (French): FRANCOIS ALBERT AMICHIA, President of the organizing committee
"We are happy for the cooperation between Cote d'Ivoire and China. This is a model of cooperation, and this stadium is the best proof.
Cote d'Ivoire and China already have a lot of cooperation in certain fields. In the future, we hope that the two countries can carry out all-round exchanges so that all people can benefit. This includes not only cooperation on youth, sports and enterprises, but also direct pairing cooperation between local governments of the two countries.
We know China's dynamism in all aspects. Cote d'Ivoire should be able to benefit from it."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Abidjan.
(XHTV)