Hope for Kipchoge Keino stadium as specialists expected

Specialists from Canadian construction company Mondo are expected in Eldoret in the next two weeks to embark on laying the tartan track at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium.

This means that the hustle athletes have had to endure looking for training grounds will soon end.

Currently, athletes have had to do with Kaptagat and Kamariny stadiums as well as the University of Eldoret grounds.

The announcement comes just weeks after the government released Sh25 million for renovations at the stadium after repair works had stalled. The tartan material arrived in the country in April last year.

Sports Stadia Management Board (SSMB) officials and those from the government visited the stadium yesterday ahead of the repair works.

Engineer Mbiu Kimani from SSMB who spoke at the stadium yesterday was optimistic that the renovations will be completed in good time.

“The progress is good and the stadium will soon open its doors to athletes,” said Mbiu.

A regulating asphalt layer has already been laid. The final one will be placed next week to pave way for the laying of tartan track.

The long jump and high jump areas as well as the mesh separating athletes and spectators are almost complete. The rusty roofs are being replaced.

MEASUREMENTS AND STANDARDS

Mbiu said the experts are awaiting to be furnished with details regarding measurements and standards to which the stadium should conform to before they can lay tartan.

The stadium is one of pilot projects in the government’s quest to construct five state-of-the-art stadia across the country to improve sports.

The stadium will be certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and world football governing body Fifa in order for it to host international events.

“The stadium has to comply with international standards,” SSMB acting Chief Executive Gabriel Komora said. Contractor, Akber Jamal, said his company will hand over the works to the Mondo Company for the laying of the synthetic track material once they arrive.

The national and county governments have agreed to share the costs of the renovations. Among other things, the county handle the shelters and the pavilion. Locals say that the completion of repair works will go a long way in boosting efforts to harness more athletics talent in the region.