The Gusii Sports Legends Association has welcomed the decision by Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo to rename Manga Stadium after legendary Kenyan athlete the late Robert Ouko.
The association’s director, Alfred Momanyi, said renaming the stadium is a perfect honour for the 1972 4x400m Olympic gold medalist. Ouko was the founding chairman of the association, which brings together retired and active athletes.
The veteran athletics administrator and coach added: “This is a move in the right direction. I’m requesting the county governments of Nyamira and Kisii to name sports facilities and roads after legends. We thank Nyaribo for accepting our request to name Manga Stadium after our founding chairman the late Ouko.”
He further added that Charles Asati, who was part of the quartet that won the rare gold medal in Munich, Germany, should be the stadium’s administrator.
Momanyi appealed to the county to complete the upgrading of the facility, noting that there is no standard running track in the entire county.
Both Ouko and Asati hail from Manga ward. Other members of the victorious team were Hezekiah Nyamao and the late Julius Sang. Sang died on April 9, 2004. Ouko died on August 18, 2019, at his Ngong home in Kajiado County after a long illness.
Speaking during the recent Madaraka Day celebrations at the stadium, Governor Nyaribo announced the renaming of the facility after Ouko.
He said the county is keen to revive sports especially athletics in the county. Nyaribo said the county government will complete the construction of the stadium.
The county government-sponsored annual Nyamira Great run is already on the Athletics Kenya calendar. The first edition was held last year and the second edition in April.
Governor Nyaribo announced that next year’s edition will be bigger and bolder.
