First and Deputy First Ministers Foster and McGuinness attend National Stadium opening

Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness attended the opening of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Saturday evening.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Oct 2016, 18:42 BST
Updated 25th Oct 2016, 19:17 BST
First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are pictured with Communities Minister Paul Givan, Marco Van Basten, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and Irish FA President, David Martin before the official opening ceremony at Windsor Park.First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are pictured with Communities Minister Paul Givan, Marco Van Basten, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and Irish FA President, David Martin before the official opening ceremony at Windsor Park.
First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are pictured with Communities Minister Paul Givan, Marco Van Basten, FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and Irish FA President, David Martin before the official opening ceremony at Windsor Park.

The pair were guests of the Irish Football Association (IFA) at the official opening ahead of Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying match against San Marino.

The IFA received £28.75 million from the Executive towards the stadium redevelopment which now has a seating capacity of 18,500.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Minister Foster said: “It is a privilege to be here this evening to mark the official opening of our National Stadium at Windsor Park.

“The transformation has been remarkable and Northern Ireland, along with first class fans, now has a truly first class venue as its home of football.

“The Northern Ireland Executive’s contribution of £28.75 million has helped deliver this magnificent outcome and I congratulate everyone involved in the development of our new National Stadium.

“There is no doubt that this Summer’s Euro 2016 finals were transformative for Northern Ireland football and this wonderful new facility is reflective of our pride and ambition to take Northern Ireland to the next level.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I have no doubt this magnificent new stadium will see many great sporting occasions in the years to come.”

Deputy First Minister McGuinness said the investment in the stadium would repeat many benefits.

“In France this summer Michael O’Neill and his team proved they were a class act both on and off the pitch and I’m delighted they now have a world class stadium to match.

“The Executive’s investment of nearly £30million will reap massive social, economic and cultural benefits. Tonight’s opening completes the second part of a three stadia Programme for Government commitment and I look forward to Casement Park coming to fruition during this Assembly term.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Sport has the ability to break down barriers on and off the pitch and the IFA deserves great credit for its tireless efforts to rid sport of sectarianism, racism and homophobia,” he added.

“Their work goes beyond the gates of Windsor Park and ripples out into wider society building friendships and the community. The financial support we have provided towards this stadium is an investment in a more inclusive, shared society.”

Sports Minister Paul Givan was also in attendance and said the official opening marked an exciting new era for Northern Ireland.

“This new state of the art Stadium marks a new and exciting beginning not only for the Northern Ireland Football team but for the whole community. This is a very special and proud day for all those who have worked tirelessly to turn the vision of a National Stadium into a reality.”

Related topics:Arlene FosterNorthern IrelandMartin McGuinnessPaul Givan