According to media reports in Bahrain, the country’s government is planning to build its biggest integrated sports stadium, with capacity for 50,000 spectators.

The facility, to be located in Sakhir, Southern Governorate, would have an international standard football pitch and facilities to accommodate basketball, handball, bowling, badminton and table tennis. A shopping complex, sports training school, Olympic-size swimming pool and cinema are also planned, according to the Gulf Daily News.

The newspaper quoted Ahmed Al Ansari, council chair of the Southern Municipal Council, stating that Bahrain’s existing national stadium and Khalifa Sports City complex “still do not match aspirations for Bahrain’s future direction towards having exquisite sporting facilities”.

He added that a new stadium would cater to the country's passionate football fans, relieve pressure on clubs who currently share stadiums, boost tourism and help Bahrain enter the race to host the Asian Cup championships.