Kasarani to be closed yet again for renovations ahead of World U20

The Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani will for the umpteenth time be closed for renovations from Monday next week to give the facility a new look ahead of the Continental Tour and the World Under U20 Athletics Championships slated for May 2 an July 7 respectively.

Making the announcement on Wednesday at the facility, Sports Kenya Chairman Fred Muteti added that the renovations will cost Sh332 million, the funds coming from the Social Development Fund.

Kenya was awarded the hosting rights for the two events following a successful show in the 2018 World Under 18 championships that witnessed record crowds that inched closer to the maximum stadium capacity- 60,000.

IAAF President Sebastian Coe lauded the Kenya government for being supportive to the sport.

“This is to inform all sports federations and the entire sports fraternity that a section of facilities at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani will be closed to the public with effect from March 16 to give way for necessary renovations ahead of a busy athletics schedule.”

He also noted that works are set to begin immediately next week with contractors already on site doing the mappings.

“We have identified the warm-up section which needs leveling, the training field and the main stadium. We also want to move the police station near the training area and change it into abolition blocks,” he explained.

 

The chairman also had good news for the sports fraternity noting that Nyayo Stadium is almost. Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed rcently promise that the venue would be opened by March.

“Nyayo is 95 percent complete and within a week we will be able to officially open it. The five percent remaining is the swimming pool and the gymnasium. Therefore our clients should not be worried because they can use Nyayo and we also have plans underway to move to Meru Stadium.”

Earlier in the day a team representing the United Kingdom led by Trevor Painter visited the venue to check on the state of facilities their athletes should expect to compete in. They exhibited confidence in Nairobi’s ability to host the event.

The UK failed to send any competitors to the 2018 Under 20 championships; Painter cleared any doubts adding that they intend to send their strongest athletes.

Tags:

Sports Kenya Fred Muteti Kasarani stadium. Renovations World U20

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