Tanzania, April 1 -- Dar es Salaam. The ongoing construction of Arusha Stadium has sparked public debate after its cost surged from an initial estimate of Sh187 billion to Sh338.54 billion.

However, the Government Spokesperson and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Gerson Msigwa, clarified yesterday that the increase was necessary to meet international football standards required for hosting major tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and potentially the FIFA World Cup.

The clarification comes amid concerns raised by the Coantroller and Auditor General, Charles Kichere, who reported that the project cost had risen by 81 percent from the original estimate.

The findings have trig...