Plan successful games

What you need to know:

  • Some of the key areas the LOC must address are facilities at the Nyayo and City stadiums and the transport network.

Finally, the Cabinet secretary for Sports, Mr Hassan Wario, has launched the Local Organising Committee for the 2017 World Youth Championships.

Although coming a little late in the day, the LOC should jumpstart the preparations that should herald a successful event.

The country will be in the spotlight for almost a month, with 2,000 participants from 150 countries expected to descend on Nairobi.

The central government, Athletics Kenya, and the Nairobi City county government must put together the best resources to ensure a successful event.

TRANSPORT

Some of the key areas the LOC must address are facilities at the Nyayo and City stadiums and the transport network. 

The stadiums need complete overhaul to meet international standards.

Mr Wario has promised to iron out bureaucratic bottlenecks, especially in procurement, that could hinder progress.

The success of the event will determine the outcome of Kenya’s bids for other major events on the athletics calendar.

The government’s yet-to-be-fulfilled promise of five ultra-modern facilities would have enabled Kenya to comfortably host major events such as the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.