PHOTOS: State commits to upgrading sporting facilities

The government has restated its commitment to upgrade sporting facilities in the country.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday said the move aims to see the facilities to match international standards.

Speaking when he opened the refurbished Nyayo National Stadium Uhuru said the redevelopment of the stadium is not an isolated case.

“Our endeavour is to ensure that our sporting facilities can compare favourably with the top addresses around the world. In that regard, we are in the process of developing other sporting facilities throughout the country,” he said.

The head of state said his administration is the on the verge of completing the construction of Jamhuri Sports, Leisure and Entertainment Park in Nairobi as well as the upgrading of sporting facilities in Eldoret, Marsabit, Meru, Chuka, Kisumu, Nyeri, Makueni, Wanguru in Kirinyaga and Kirigiti in Kiambu.

He directed the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage to work round the clock to ensure the facilities are completed and ready for commissioning by the end of December 2020.

Uhuru said his government is further in consultations with the county governments of Mombasa, Kakamega, Narok and Kisii to co-finance and upgrade to international standards, the existing facilities in their counties.

He said with the reopening of Nyayo, sportspersons will add new pages to the country’s long and celebrated history as a sporting powerhouse.

He expressed satisfaction that in just over a week Nyayo National Stadium will host the Kip Keino Classic – the first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour event to be held on the African continent.

The event named after trailblazing Olympic champion, Kipchoge Keino, will bring together elite athletes from all over the world to compete in various track and field events on Saturday, October 3rd 2020.

“Our being entrusted to host this global event is evidence of the confidence that the world has in our country and our levels of COVID-19 containment as it will be the first global sporting event to be held on the African continent since the advent of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Uhuru said.

Uhuru pointed out that the Kip Keino Classic and other sporting events that will be held as the country gradually and progressively re-opens will be conducted with strict adherence to all applicable Covid-19 protocols, guidelines and regulations.

“This will ensure that sportspersons, coaches, media and spectators are kept safe and healthy,” he said.

Uhuru asked the Amina Mohamed led Ministry of Sports to redouble its efforts in re-convening major sporting events that were postponed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“I further direct the Ministry to resume preparation processes towards the Olympic and Paralympic Games and to engage with our local sports associations on how Kenyan athletes can resume competing in sporting events abroad,” he said.

Uhuru also took the opportunity to wish Kenyan athletes success as they head out to the London Marathon scheduled for 4th October 2020.

“Led by World Marathon Record holders Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei, I have no doubt that they will, once again like their colleagues in Doha, make Kenya proud, despite the challenges they have had in training due to the COVID-19 restrictions,” he said.

 CS Amina in her sentiments thanked the President for being the force behind the revitalisation and face-lift of the Nyayo National Stadium popularly known as “the arena of champions”.

She said several international sports bodies have sent their representatives to inspect the facility and have rated it among the best on the African continent.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, CS Eugene Wamalwa, Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, National Assembly Departmental Committee on Sports Culture and Tourism Chairman Patrick Makau, legendary sports heroes and a host of senior government officials accompanied the president.