There is an African proverb that says, “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.” In Sudan, a conflict that erupted in April 2023 between rival military factions has left countless lives shattered and vital institutions destroyed. Among the casualties is the once magnificent Al Hilal Stadium in Khartoum, a venue that was not only a symbol of Sudanese football pride but also one of the finest club owned stadiums on the continent. Today, where thousands once celebrated goals and glory, silence, rubble and scars of war remain.
For Uganda’s renowned football safety and security expert Dixon Bond Okello, the images of the damaged stadium evoke emotions that transcend football. Having worked at the venue during major continental assignments, Okello remembers a stadium that embodied excellence, passion and the aspirations of African football. The transformation from a vibrant sporting landmark into a victim of conflict remains difficult for him to comprehend.
“I really loved working at Al Hilal Stadium. It was one of the most professional football environments on the continent. Seeing what has happened to it is heartbreaking because it was more than a stadium. It was a home for football and a source of pride for Sudan and Africa,” Okello reflected. His words capture the anguish felt by many football professionals who witnessed the stadium at its peak and now struggle to recognize it amid the devastation.
Okello’s own journey mirrors the resilience that football often represents. Rising from humble beginnings as a steward in Uganda, he built his reputation through dedication, education and professionalism to become one of Africa’s most respected safety and security experts. His assignments have taken him to FIFA and CAF competitions across the globe, earning him recognition as one of the continent’s leading figures in stadium operations and crowd safety management.
Yet even for a man who has worked at some of football’s grandest arenas, Al Hilal Stadium occupies a special place in memory. Its destruction serves as a stark reminder that football does not exist in isolation from society. Stadiums are repositories of dreams, memories and national pride. While Sudan’s war has damaged one of Africa’s iconic football cathedrals, it cannot erase the memories forged within its walls nor diminish the hope that one day the roar of football will return to Khartoum once again.
Courtesy Photo
