Gymkhana gets face lift for U-19 World Cup

Workers apply fertiliser on the outfield of the Coast Gymkana Club ground which is under renovation to host the ICC Under-19 World Cup next year. Photo/GIDEON MAUNDU.

Coast Gymkhana club is undergoing a major facelift ahead of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Under- 19 World Cup to be staged in Kenya in early 2010.

The ground which together with Mombasa Sports Club will be the venues for the tournament renovated to international standards according to Coast Cricket Association chairman Pankaj Desai.

Already the ground has been excavated and levelled and the contractors were by yesterday planting Bermuda grass seeds imported from South Africa. The outfield has levelled and is awaiting application of fertilizer at the final stage to await grass plantation.

“This will one of the best cricket playing grounds upon completion and will see more cricket matches brought to the coast,” said Desai.

Cricket Kenya chairman Samir Inamdar told a news conference in his office that arrangements to host the tournament cup were almost complete with work already going on to improve facilities in Nakuru and Nairobi towns which will host the event.

“We have all the top cricket-paying countries sending their teams for the tournament making it a very crucial event for as a country,” he said Inamdar said CK has set aside Sh15 million to be spent on players salaries and allowances alone during the 2009.