The Al-Saada Stadium, also known as Al-Saada Sports Complex is a government ownedmulti-use stadium in the Al-Saada district of Salalah, Oman. The stadium is used only for footballmatches and is the home stadium of Salalah-based clubs Dhofar, and Al-Nasr. The stadium has originally had a capacity of an estimated 12,000 people, but due to renovation in 2010 the stadium became an all-seater decreasing the maximum capacity to an estimated 8-9,000 spectators. Although being opened officially in 2009, the stadium ever since has been undergoing renovation, and because of protest from the football community in the city because of the unexpected outcome, the stadium has undergone a plan to eventually house close to 20,000 spectators. Aside from the stadium itself, there is also a sports complex housed within the compound, which includes a hockey field, tennis court, olympic swimming pool, and an indoor volleyball/basketball stadium. Unlike the Salalah Sports Complex located in the Auwqad district of Salalah, the Al-Saada Stadium features seating completely around the field, and does not include a running track, making the atmosphere more powerful and closer to the action.
Controversy
The stadium has been subject to criticism, especially from influential people in Salalah. Omani newspaper, Al-Shabiba has published an article on February 1, 2010 about the stadium by writer, Mohammed Al-Rawas pointing out the main issues with the stadium. In it, it states that it has taken much longer than expected for it to finish, no seating whatsoever was installed, and the end result was just not what was expected. The article also mentions no installation of a parking lot. Abdul-Hakim Ba-Mukhalaf, Ali Al-Ra'ood, Nayyif Al-Marhoon, and Dhofar S.C. president, Badr bin Ali Al-Rawas also join writer, Mohammed Al-Rawas in the long article criticizing the construction, planning, and disappointing end-result of the stadium. According to Al-Shabiba's article from February 1, 2010, the stadium was planned to be completely finished in 15 months, but in fact, it has taken nearly 4 years and is still experiencing construction. The leading football forum in the Arab World, has also been the place of criticism towards the stadium with various members opening threads explaining their disappointment in the outcome. KooooraWaBas has also written an article about the stadium explaining the poor managing and planning of the stadium, lack of giving live feeds of matches, and no match clock installed.
Tenants
Al-Saada Stadium is the new home to Dhofar FC as well as Al-Nasr FC, replacing their old home; the Salalah Sports Complex. The stadium also hosts various teams from Salalah in the second division, as well as Mirbat.
