Restless ‘Batoto ba Mungu’ mull move to Embu Stadium
Sofapaka football club after they won the Kenya Power Charity Cup at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi on February 2, 2014. Sofapaka have expressed interest in making Embu Stadium their home venue next season, barely a year after they moved to Machakos Stadium from Nairobi. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- This comes barely a year after they moved to Machakos Stadium from Nairobi.
- The club, also known as Batoto ba Mungu, was only waiting for assurance that the stadium would be completed.
- Kinyua said Mencarelli had hinted that the club was unhappy at Machakos due to absence of fans which affected revenue turnover.
- Embu Stadium attracts hundreds of fans despite it not hosting top teams.
Top Kenyan Premier League side Sofapaka have expressed interest in making Embu Stadium their home venue next season, barely a year after they moved to Machakos Stadium from Nairobi.
Team General Manager Andrea Mencarelli, FKF representatives together with the league’s top management officials have twice toured the stadium and held talks with the Embu County Government officials on the intended moved.
County Youth Empowerment and Sports Chief Officer Raymond Kinyua said the club, also known as Batoto ba Mungu, was only waiting for assurance that the stadium would be completed.
He said the Embu County Executive was working on a proposal to kick start the works and expressed optimism that the County Assembly Sports Committee would sanction it.
CLUB NOT HAPPY
Kinyua said Mencarelli had hinted that the club was unhappy at Machakos due to absence of fans which affected revenue turnover.
“”We have held talks with top brass of Sofapaka and FKL. They have engaged the Sports department on the probability of Sofapaka relocating to Embu Stadium in the season 2015. They are really complaining of the fan base.
“They told us that they have not been able to attract fans in Machakos.
The GM said the largest crowd they have been able to attract is
about50 fans. That doesn’t add value and they can’t break even. My interest is to make sure that if they want to relocate, we are ready for them,” he said.
Embu Stadium attracts hundreds of fans despite it not hosting top teams.
Kinyua said the remaining works would require aboutSh10million and take around three months to complete.
The official said Sofapaka had agreed to send experts in stadia construction who would offer specifications if they are to come in 2015.
“They have already invited us to watch their match against Gor Mahia on October26th.
"We are trying to create a rapport and connections with Sofapaka. It will be our joy if we can put it through.
"The ball is in our court which is to complete the stadium. We hope to have them here,” he said.
He said the county government would erect a VIP gate, four more gates in various points, terraces, good daises, improve the toilets, complete the perimeter wall, floodlights and pay points within the stadium.
“In principle, we agreed on how to complete the stadium and boost security apparatus.
"There is light at the end of the tunnel. At the end of the day, that stadium must be completed.
"Most of the work is done and we will just be putting final touches,” said Kinyua.
