Maracana furthest behind of Confederations stadiums

Rio de Janeiro: Rio de Janeiro`s Maracana Stadium is the least complete of the six arenas that will host the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

According to the Brazilian Ministry for Sport (ME), building works at the iconic sports stage are 70 percent complete. The stadium should be finished by late February or early March, reports Xinhua. With two stadiums already reopened - the Castelao in Fortaleza and the Mineirao in Belo Horizonte - fans in the four remaining cities are anxious to begin celebrations as well. Salvador`s Arena Fonte Nova is 83 percent complete and should be ready in the opening weeks of the year. Brasilia`s Mane Garrincha stadium, where the tournament`s opening ceremony and game will be played, is 78 percent finished whilst Pernambuco`s Arena Pernambuco is 77 percent done, according to figures released Thursday by the ME. It was however stressed that while there is still more work to do at the Maracana than anywhere else there is no cause for concern. The finished article will still be delivered on schedule. The Maracana stadium has an extremely important role to play in Brazilian sport over the coming years. Not only will it be the scene for the Confederations and World Cup finals, the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games will also be held at the famous stadium. IANS