Local Organising Committee for the 2017 World Under 18 Championships have hit the panic button, admitting they are behind schedule for preparations ahead of the July 12-16 event.
LOC chief executive Mwangi Muthee said they had encounter numerous challenges that have seen the preparation drag on more than expected.
Crucial is the laying of the tartan track at Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani, where contractor, Mondo Sports, have been forced to bring in three more engineers to ensure that the stadium and other training facilities are ready in time for the Worlds.
Mwangi observed that this will attract more cost implications.
“We lost time. This is something we would have finished an year ago and this is will be at an extra cost on us but we are going burn the midnight oil to deliver,” admitted Muthee.
Mwangi said Mondo Sports are expected to complete the laying of three tartan track in three weeks. They embark on laying the main stadium and the training ground adjacent to it in the next 14 days before they move to lay a similar track at Kenyatta University (in at most seven days).
“We have to deliver. This translates to working day and night to be ready in time,” he added.
Mondo are using the same technique used to lay stadia in Brazil and Muthee notes that it will be much easier to maintain.
“The technologies that we have employed here are not only meant to serve the World U18 Championships, but they will benefit Kenya in the future. Kenya has, and will be bidding to host other events where we will not start from scratch again,” said Muthee.