Legend Keino wants Kip Keino stadium expanded to a complex

Legendary athlete Kipchoge Keino has called for the expansion of the Kip Keino stadium in Eldoret to a sports complex.

Works in the stadium located in Uasin Gishu County has resumed after stalling for close to three years thus causing huge inconveniences to athletes from the north rift region.

Regarded as the father of athletics in the country, Keino said he is honoured to have two stadia named after him. Another stadium named after him is located in Kapsabet, Nandi County.

“I think they saw what I had brought to the country as an athlete and that is why they named the stadium after me. I am very happy and would love to have these stadiums in the best conditions so that it benefits our sportspeople,” Keino told Citizen Digital.

A high-powered government delegation led by Sports Chief Administrative Secretary Hassan Noor Hasan toured the facility a fortnight ago in a renewed push by the government to oversee the construction of stalled stadia countrywide.

With the contractor in Eldoret facing race against time to beat the September deadline set by the government, Keino, has urged the government to not only focus on the running track but also set up facilities for other sports.

“I know Eldoret is the home to many athletes but we should also think of other sports too. I think we have enough land where we can set up facilities for other indoor sports and even have a gym so that we can assist our sportsmen and women develop their talents,” said Keino.

Similarly, the stadium in Nandi county has also stalled since 2017. However, the work in the stadium is expected to be expedited after the county government allocated Sh70 million to the project.

Meanwhile, Keino has urged the country to embrace sports as a form of employment and business. He reckons that unlike during his time as an active athlete, sports is one of the highest paying careers.

Keino won two Olympics and three Commonwealth Games gold medals between 1966 -1972 over 1500m and 3000m steeplechase.

Upon his retirement, he also served as the president of the National Olympic Committee (NOCK).