Omar Hamadi Stadium (Arabic: ملعب عمر حمّادي) is a multi-purpose stadium in Bologhine, Algiers, Algeria. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of USM Alger. The stadium has a capacity of 10,000 people.

Omar Hamadi Stadium
Bologhine
Omar Hamadi Stadium from Notre-Dame d'Afrique in 2023
Map
Full nameStade Omar-Hamadi
Former namesStade Roger Lapergue (1919–1921)
Stade de Saint-Eugène (1921–1962)[1]
LocationBologhine, Algiers, Algeria
Coordinates36°48′04″N 3°02′53″E / 36.801055°N 3.048111°E / 36.801055; 3.048111
OwnerAPC Bologhine
OperatorUSM Alger
Capacity10,000
Field size105 m × 64 m
SurfaceArtificial turf
Construction
Opened19 January 1919
Renovated1980
2011
Expanded1957 (North stand)
2000 (South stand)
Closed2022
Tenants
USM Alger

History

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Opening the stadium

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Stade de Saint-Eugène during its construction.

The stadium was built in 1919 as the home ground for l’Association Sportive Saint Eugénoise.[2][3] It was known as the Stade Roger Lapergue for two years, its architecture made it one of the most beautiful stadiums of its time. It was initially built with two side stands and a Party hall. its name will then become the name of the city as Stade communal de Saint Eugène. Later the stadium becomes available to MC Alger, becoming the main stadium in the League Algiers. In 1957, the third platform will be built, consisting of two superimposed stands on the south side, arched and connecting the two original stands, this new platform will give a modern look at the municipal stadium. After the independence of Algeria in 1962, the city of St. Eugene will be called Bologhine new name for the town. The upper gallery of the stadium was severely damaged at the piers during the 1980 El Asnam earthquake (currently Chlef).[4] And has since remained off limits to the public and eventually after endless work being demolished in 2003. The stadium hosted the Algerian Cup final once in 1970 between USM Alger and CR Belcourt, which ended for the latter with a score of 4–1. In 1998, Bologhine stadium was renamed Omar Hamadi, a former leader of USM Alger and revolutionary (he was sentenced to death during his country's war of independence) and who was killed along with his two son at Bouzareah (Algiers) by a terrorist group in 1995.[5][6]

New stand and capacity

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In 2000 a new stand was built to expand the home stadium capacity, and spent 8,000 to 10,000 spectators, USM Alger club that holds the concession for the stadium has also invested in the development of infrastructure necessary for recovery and training for players: sauna, gym and restaurant. In 2015, the stadium hosted the first leg of the CAF Champions League final between USM Alger and TP Mazembe, which ended for the latter with a score of 2–1.[7] On March 9, 2021, USM Alger Administration renewed its contract with Bologhine Municipality regarding renting Omar Hammadi Stadium for a period of one year for 80 million centimes per month.[8] Mayor of Bologhine added that The State Property Directorate used the old assessment, which stipulates that it should accommodate 12,000 spectators, before demolishing the upper stands, as the stadium now has only 7,500 spectators.[8] In April 2023, the technical expert report related to the stadium concluded that it was necessary to demolish three stands namely the northern, southern and western, because they had become a real danger to the supporters.[9]

Reconstruction of the stadium

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On August 5, 2024, USM Alger announced that the Omar Hamadi Stadium renovation project has officially been relaunched. This project involves the complete demolition of the current stadium and its reconstruction according to modern standards.[10][11] The Algiers club said "The club's officials did not fail to highlight all the constraints that slowed down the project and expressed their relief regarding the decisions taken by the authorities. The delegation then inspected the stadium and recorded the necessary notes in order to implement the roadmap as quickly as possible, taking into account what would be best for the Club and its supporters."[10][11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "L'Echo d'Alger : Journal républicain du matin". 31 October 1921. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  2. ^ "DROIT D'AÎNESSE ET ….FANFARONNADE !". Archived from the original on 2011-12-20. Retrieved 2011-06-14.
  3. ^ "L'inauguration du stade Roger Lapergue". L'Écho d'Alger. 20 January 1919. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  4. ^ Ambraseys, Nicolas (1981). "The El Asnam (Algeria) earthquake of 10 October 1980; conclusions drawn from a field study". Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology. 14 (2): 143–148. doi:10.1144/gsl.qjeg.1981.014.02.05. S2CID 140701882. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  5. ^ "Le fils Hamadi en visite au stade Omar-Hamadi". djazairess.com. 2 July 2020. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  6. ^ "YACEF SAADI et son coïnculpé Hamadi Omar ont été condamnés à mort". lemonde.fr. 27 June 1958. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  7. ^ "CAF CL : Finale aller, USM Alger 1-2 TP Mazembe". DZfoot. October 31, 2015. Archived from the original on March 3, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "سوسطارة تجدد عقد بولوغين بـ80 مليون شهريا". ennaharonline.com. 9 March 2021. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  9. ^ "قرار بتهديم ثلاثة مدرجات لملعب بولوغين". DzairSport.net. 23 April 2023. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  10. ^ a b "Après le MCA et la JSK : au tour de l'USMA de bénéficier d'un nouveau stade ! (OFFICIEL)". Fennec Football. August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "USMA : Le projet de nouveau stade relancé". DZfoot. August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.